Mills Novelty Lion’s Head Nickel Slot Machine

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Mills Novelty Lion’s Head Nickel Slot Machine

Postby VintageCollectibles » Fri Apr 08, 2016 12:37 pm

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Complete with original Mills award card, original reel strips, and original cash box. Seller believes the internal mechanism is the rarer and older 10-stop one. According to Mead (1996) there are fewer than 50 known rebuilt goose necks (Lion’s Head case and 10-stop mechanism) known in existence. The Poinsetta top case predates the Lion’s Head lower case, and when compared to photographs of other Poinsetta machines appears to be repainted to match the coloring of the Lion’s Head case. This was most likely done in the 1930s when the two machines were combined into what you see here.

Don’t be deceived by the condition of this unit. It has not been restored in any way except for oiling the internal mechanism since it was purchased in early 1962.

Features:
Mint condition, original reel strips and award card
Cash Box, factory inspection sticker
Mills lock and key
Solid oak base and cabinet

This machine works well. Although its internal mechanism has been maintained, the machine has never been restored. As long as the handle isn’t pulled until the internal mechanism completes its cycle, the machine won’t jam. Its timing is good, all the payoffs line up properly and pay out correctly, except the third wheel Lemon Free Play does not work.

There is the wear of paint usual for antique items as well as other small surface defects. The logo decals on either side of the wood cabinet are mostly gone, although enough remains to show the cabinet is original. The award card has crayon marks and some print is scratched off, but the card is still readable.

Statement of Provenance
This 1928-9 and 1930-1 Mills mechanical slot machines were manufactured by the Mills Novelty Company, located in Chicago, Illinois. This machine is not original—because it didn’t come out of the factory configured like this.

The machine is a nickel denomination slot. Both the Lion Head front and Poinsettia coin entry top plate are rare and difficult to locate in original or period condition. This machine is NOT re-manufactured, but was probably rebuilt from two separate machines in the early 1930s, and as such, it is unique.

The machine is a nickel denomination slot. Both the Lion Head front and Poinsettia coin entry top plate are rare and difficult to locate in original or period condition. This machine is NOT re-manufactured, but was probably rebuilt from two separate machines in the early 1930s, and as such, it is unique. I challenge anyone to find another one exactly like it, especially one combined within the period of its original manufacture!
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Re: Mills Novelty Lion’s Head Nickel Slot Machine

Postby Rick B » Fri Apr 08, 2016 7:14 pm

So I guess it is free. Rick B
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Re: Mills Novelty Lion’s Head Nickel Slot Machine

Postby SLOT DYNASTY » Sat Apr 09, 2016 1:14 am

I thought we hashed over this piece of PooPoo a long time ago? Now we have an updated BS story, to try and convince
the Forum members, that this is something they need in their collection. That's fine, if you need a parts machine at a
reasonable price. That's all it's good for. There is nothing Special or Rare about this machine. It DID NOT come out of
the Mills factory in this configuration. As I said in the prior thread, "ALL THIS MACHINE IS, IS AN OPERATOR CREATION,
THAT WAS HASHED TOGETHER MANY YEARS AGO, USING TWO DIFFERENT MODELS CASTINGS, THAT DO NOT MATCH".
With a hideous paint-job to boot. Also, that top casting IS NOT just a "Poinsettia". It was used for several years on a
wide variety of models, as an "Operator Bell". The serial number on the top casting, and in the case, will generally tell
us what model range it was in. Also, the "Poinsettia" had several lower casting changes, which would put wide gaps in
the serial numbering. It could also have been the very common "Operator Bell Owl" model, that was used more than any
of the gooseneck models.
So, let's say we give this thread a rest, and get back to the more important things at hand, like helping our fellow Forum
members with their Original machine history, problems, or whatever it may be. :D
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