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watling rol-a-top bird of paradise 1934 need help

PostPosted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 11:53 am
by 1th
Hello my name is terry and I'm new to the slot merchian iv just picked up a watling rol-a-top bird of paradise 1934 the bottom case has been damaged I was just wondering if anyone had the bottom casing for sale or no of anyone who has one for sale I would real appreciate I'm also looking for a jackpot as well many thanks terry

Re: watling rol-a-top bird of paradise 1934 need help

PostPosted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 2:39 pm
by Rick B
Is it just the bottom that the machine sets on or the whole case? If you are near me in Ohio I can help as I do allot of wood working and repairs. You want to do everything you can to keep the machine as original as possible especially that one. Please post some pictures as many will want to see that machine for sure. Rick B

Re: watling rol-a-top bird of paradise 1934 need help

PostPosted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 2:54 pm
by 1th
Thanks for the reply rick it is the cast case at the bottom that has a crack and when you look from the inside it's been repaired at the top right above the mint dispenser I will try to put some photos up I would really appreciate if any one can tell me about the merchian I can only find the date on the mech 1 may 1934 and 25 cent many thanks terry

Re: watling rol-a-top bird of paradise 1934 need help

PostPosted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 3:03 pm
by 1th
This is my watling

Re: watling rol-a-top bird of paradise 1934 need help

PostPosted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 3:48 pm
by 1th
More photos

Re: watling rol-a-top bird of paradise 1934 need help

PostPosted: Thu Jul 14, 2016 2:52 am
by 1th
This is on the side can anyone tell me about it all I can read is J Costello & Al Capone

Re: watling rol-a-top bird of paradise 1934 need help

PostPosted: Thu Jul 14, 2016 7:12 am
by Anglobritish
Hi,
I read about your French model Rol-A-Top with great interest, in the early 1930's, Watling sent a container of slot machines to Marseilles in France on behalf of the Chicago mob,, they were shipped under the heading of "Farm Tools" these were opened by the French customs who refused to allow them into the country, the ship that they were on was continuing on to a port in Indo China, after setting sail, war broke out in Indo China, and the ship was forced to return to France, where the cargo was confiscated, it stayed in a warehouse until the early 1960's when it was discovered by a film company who was looking for props for a film called Borsolino, after the film was made these Watling Rol-A-Tops and some Pace machines was bought by a French slot machine dealer by the name of Bernard DeWitt, who sold them to various collectors such as my self and my friend Henri Krijnan another collector from Holland. So this is the first time I have ever seen such a label, but looking closely at your label, I see the date as 1925, Watling did not make the Rol-A-Top at that time, but it is still interesting. Watling was very strong in France in the 20's and 30's.

Freddy Bailey
The Official British Coin Machine Historian

Re: watling rol-a-top bird of paradise 1934 need help

PostPosted: Thu Jul 14, 2016 7:31 am
by 1th
Thanks for the reply he is a new photo I just can't find nothing about it

Re: watling rol-a-top bird of paradise 1934 need help

PostPosted: Thu Jul 14, 2016 7:35 am
by 1th
Photo

Re: watling rol-a-top bird of paradise 1934 need help

PostPosted: Thu Jul 14, 2016 7:51 am
by Anglobritish
It seems that the 25 is part of the serial No. the word Onio in French means Prefix so it seems to confirm that this is part of a reference to the model, also it could have been placed on the machine by the French distributor, saying where and who it was shipped to, also I am pretty sure they meant Frank Costello not J. Costello and of course Al Capone.

This would be a great machine for a French collector, I recommend you keep everything the way it is. do you have any history on where you got it.

Freddy Bailey