Mills Bells Collection

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Mills Bells Collection

Postby bkrsdoz » Mon Jan 30, 2017 6:23 am

I have completed my Mills Bursting Cherry collection.
I am relatively new to slot machines, and have just so much room for a collection.
I chose the Mills Bursting Cherry style after seeing the "Brown Front" for sale in the back of a Model A pickup. at a local car show.
After purchasing that one, I researched as to what others had the same style case.
I searched and found the other two as close to original as I could.
The Blue Cherry came from Montana, and the Melon came from Wisconsin.
The Brown Front, and Melon are original paint.
The Blue Cherry is an older repaint, but the closest I could find to original.
They play and pay as they should after a little tinkering.
The grandchildren and I enjoy then very much!
Thanks so much for helping on the forum.
Bkrsdoz
Beverly, MA
Bells_opt.jpg
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Re: Mills Bells Collection

Postby nvmos2 » Mon Jan 30, 2017 12:21 pm

VERY nice; they make a great set!
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Re: Mills Bells Collection

Postby JHSS-1944 » Tue Jan 31, 2017 1:30 am

finally , a photo of the 3 !!! is a nice set.
BUT, before the Brown front , there was the "Mills Cherry ".
brown front came out out in 1938 , not sure when the cherry came out ,but before this date. same cabinet as this but in a burgundy red paint job. has a different award card (not a chrome style as this ) , & the earlier type handle, than these.
If I can find a photo , I'll post it.
no clue why but, the brown front sold better than the cherry. but that color paint seems much better to match the title = "CHERRY".
my "brown front" is Burgundy painted by me . had nothing high lighted in chrome on the cabinet at this time (1943 / 44), some just "silver" painted. found a award card of non metal to put on it( card stock).
at least you're consistent in the collection.
recap; 1) cherry , 2) brown front, 3) brown front blue (that's what Mills called it !), 4) "melon front".
jeff H.
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Re: Mills Bells Collection

Postby bkrsdoz » Tue Jan 31, 2017 5:45 am

This Brown Front does have the early forged handle, and an odd early serial number 307516.
The serial number does not make sense, as according to Bueschel's #3 book puts around 1932.
It has no "drill proof" plates, but does have the "spoon proof" payout cup.
It also has the dark wood cabinet.
The Blue Front pictured has the 3-10-10 payout, and side "drill proof" plates, and later handle.
The Melon has all of the "drill proof" plates, and later handle.
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Re: Mills Bells Collection

Postby JHSS-1944 » Wed Feb 01, 2017 1:49 am

What little I can add;
Brown front; 1938-1944. early Sn.s around 405,190 / 407,292 range. As high as 490,000 range.
Later models with light oak cabinets. anti- spooning money cup out late 1938.
Drill proof plates also out late 1938 BUT, between 1938- 1941 some sold with it ,some sold with out it. I believe it started out as an option to buy , with OR with out. turned into a success ,so they added it to all the mills line up. I know for sure, they offered the plates for sale separately for you to retrofit any machine you already had. I have the sales ad somewhere.
photo of the earlier type pay out card, thin metal frame with paper card.
maybe the serial # range was off a bit ? & maybe the p.o. card was switched back then = more eye appealing to it's (casino) owner. note on this card ,it has the gold award too.
surprised to hear your blue has the 3-10-10 pay out = Rare to see a photo of it. It was an option to buy it this way (more $$$ of course). can't recall what it was called.... " club special"... something like that.

your brown front seems correct to me, except the award card possibly. no comment on the Sn.
the melon is of course the toughest to find of the group. saw 1 up for sale (a dealer) but he painted it the wrong color ,wrong strips & p.o. card. currently 2 unrestored machines up for sale by a well know dealer but, no clue on the prices. both needed some TLC.
jeff H.
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po card ob cherry with gold award.jpg
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Re: Mills Bells Collection

Postby sam2002 » Wed Feb 01, 2017 8:32 am

Curious to see you report in your post of the 3-10-10 payout I just picked one 2 days ago would be curious to hear more info on that payout .

Great looking group of machines you have !
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Re: Mills Bells Collection

Postby JHSS-1944 » Thu Feb 02, 2017 1:39 am

On your blue front , do you know what the disc OR reel strip codes are ?? J-1, J-2 ,J-2 or the "B" codes.
fast glance Mills 1941 parts list...... MLB-5055 reward plate 3/10 for cherry blue .... .75 cent.
o.k. maybe I'm wrong ?? has only 5 award plates listed on this page ... typed here as writen
1)3/5 p.o. for brown
2) 3/10 p.o. for cherry blue.
3)3/5 p.o. for bonus
4) 3/5 p.o. for chrome
5) 2/5 p.o. for chrome.
many listed for discs & reel strips but, covers all machines; jumbo,4 bell, 3 bell ,ect.
I'll dig through my books / Mills manuals.
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