edgeCity wrote:Not a machine that's on my wish list, but this listing caught my attention. To my untrained eye I'd say this slot appears to be about as original as they come.
Are these pre-Depression Bells that common, or does the 'Buy It Now' price seem enticingly low?!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mills-Novelty-C ... SwfVpYs19u
edgeCity:
This appears to be a very nice, totally original, and complete, Mills "Operator Bell - Owl". Even the mechanism is very clean, compared to most.
It is definitely a machine I would buy. I would not restore this machine. Just clean it up a bit, as it will retain a higher value, leaving it as it is.
The Buy-It-Now price is very reasonable for it's condition. If you are serious about this machine, better to snap it up now, rather that start the
bidding, and cancel out the BIN. The one thing I would ask the seller, is if it works, as they do not state that in their description. My guess just
from it's condition, it is in complete working order, but always better to ask. Other than that, everything else is there.
All the pluses are:
1) Untouched castings & paint detail.
2) Untouched wood case, with original stenciling & decals.
3) Original wood-grained metal back door, (which you very seldom see in this condition).
4) Excellent original reel strips & award card.
5) Locking door for cash box, (assuming the orig. cash box is behind).
To answer you last question: Yes, this is a fairly common model, but not always in the condition seen here.
Good luck, and let us know how things work out.
Bill