by SLOT DYNASTY » Thu Aug 10, 2017 2:48 am
Hi Rick:
The Decatur "Fairest Wheel" came in several variations and wood grains over their 12 year production span.
The first models with the round coin compartment base, began in 1896, and came in two different sizes.
Some had different style coin entries, as well as a cast version. There were also a few wheel design changes.
After the introduction of the square coin box base in 1888-89, they had a very long production run. Most had
three glass panels, with a wood back door, but some of the copy-cat mfrs. had an all-wood box. This style
was being copied through 1906-07. The original Decatur patent date, was May 7,1895, which is stamped in
the wood base on many models. Some have been found with a different date.
Your machine shown on the left, with the light oak case, has not been reassembled correctly. The coin drop
shutter below the view window, should be to the back, above the door. So, you will have to 180 the top of
the coin box, but do it as one unit, with the wheel frame as well. As it is also facing the wrong way. The frame
side with the screws at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, belong at the back. As you can see by your darker case.
Actually, it will be easier to 180 the base wood.
As for parts, the only thing that I have seen from time to time, is the coin box door, but they were not made
the Exact style. They look close, but 'no cigar'. I used to have a small stock of doors, locks, coin entries, and
wheel glass, but no longer. The center hole in the glass, had to be done by a special process, as glass shops
did not have a hole-cutter that size. The correct style door lock & key had to be made-from-scratch, as they
have never been available anywhere. There were also single and double coin entry style. It appears that your
dark case is the double style. I also notice that you have an extra coin-box base, off to the side. Do you have
the wheel & frame for that one?
Bill