Watling 50 cent machine

[kxh121]

I have a question I have asked in various other Forums and I am still searching for details:

There are several discussions of how scarce the machine is when the Watling Rol-A-Top 50 coin front slot machine periodically (rarely) comes up for sale.

People mention it is rare, but I am curious of the exact numbers out there. Does anyone know the approximate numbers produced and the
years of production?

It is supposed to be hard to find but not as much as a coin front Penny machine.

Thanks!!!

Ken

[watlingboy]

Ken,
The 50 cent RAT is definitely not rare if you subscribe to the definition of Rare being 6 or less or 12 or less. Some collectors feel 6 and some feel 12 is rare. After WWII we had inflation and the majority of 50 cent RATs were made then. Sadly the post war machines are not of the same quality as the prewar. Post war have paper strips, plywood cabinets and the overall quality of the castings are poorer. Early post war machines had rolled steel handles and then in the late 40s, they switched to the club handle. In the 80’s and 90’s, many post war machines were recased because dealers and restorers realized they could get more if the machine had an oak case. Plus the oak cases delaminated if exposed to moisture or humidity. There are no surviving records as far as how many were produced. But there are many fewer prewar machines and that is the more desirable model. Machines were serialized as they came off the production line so no specific numbers were used on the 50 cent. The one 50 cent RAT which is rare is the 50 cent Rol-A-Tor, only seen a couple of these over the years. 50 cent RATs frequently trade from collector to collector and don’t come on the open market plus there are lots of closet collectors who have these and you never hear about them.

[radiorich123]

From what I read from the Walting co. literature the 50 cent machines came out in 1947 and was made to 1948. May be operators change the 50 cent newer mecks to the older machines.

[watlingboy]

Not sure what you read but that information is incorrect. The 50 cent was available in 1935 as a Rol-A-Tor and available throughout the entire production run until Watling closed their doors in 1951. The castings and jackpot are unique to the 50 cent and not interchangeable with any other model.
George

[kxh121]

George,
Thanks for the reply and insight, very good information. The information about the 50 cent mech not being interchangeable with other castings is interesting along with the production run dates of 1935-1951. When I bought my 50 cent machine, I was told it was made in 1940 and that is understandable given the fact it has a stamped handle and oak base and sides along with US Coins in the castings.

I have a second RAT 25 cent machine I bought last week (3 Dec) and it has the plywood base, plywood sides and club handle. The base is nearly worthless, and the sides are de-laminating (which is what I think you meant to say happens instead of delaminating oak). I am not sure of the year it was made but I can see a difference in it and my other 25 cent machine dated to 1939.

I would love to find a 2nd 50 cent machine, especially a Rol-A-Tor. Currently I am looking to buy a Penny RAT (which I have found) and that will complete the circle of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 cent RAT's.

Thanks again and happy collecting!!!!

Ken

[watlingboy]

From the beginning to the end of production, Watling only used American coin top castings. The foreign coins never appeared on a US 50 cent RAT.
George