Cal-Neva Jennings Slot Machine

[daveintulsa]

Good Evening All,

I am an avid Frank Sinatra fan so when I came across a Cal-Neva slot machine today with shiny chrome it immediately intrigued me. It appears to be a 1948 model which of course predates Frank's brief ownership of the casino but that wasn't a deal breaker for me so I purchased it. I really don't know what I have, it looks to be a 1948, it's a Jennings, it appears to be a pretty original unrestored model that is presentable but certainly not show quality by any measure. It says $1 on the top which seems outrageously high for the year so it made me think someone tampered with it, but it also appears to have one, (it looks like a second should be present but is missing), silver dollar looking token visible from an upper window looking clear slot. I'm not if I should send it out and have it restored, (or even where to send it for that matter), or just leave it in its current condition. Any idea if this is worth restoring?

Thank you all kindly in advance,
Dave

[randyvw]

need a picture.......i vote to leave it alone, without even seeing that pic. a machine is only original ONCE....

[radiorich123]

HI A serial number can date your machine. 1$ machines are rare.

[daveintulsa]

I've attached some photos, hopefully I did it right and they appear. The arm pulls but does not retract back, (it will if you manually push it back), it seems sticky and it appears to be fairly complete inside from my ignorant point of view. Maybe just a good cleaning and lubricating would make it come back to life? Or maybe it's in really tough shape, I have zero knowledge so I'm just bumping through the dark on this. There are some electrical wires that go to nothing, maybe this was the power to make it light up? Or is something missing?

Thank you again for being willing to share your wisdom with me.

Kind Regards,
Dave

[randyvw]

like my last wife, looks great at first, but the deeper into it you get.....you find problems.....great machine!

[randyvw]

one more thing......betcha' it wasn't played much. usually 50c and dollar machines are new inside.

[oldslotman]

Where are you located? I might be able to help you get that machine going. The wires are most likely from that lights that would have been in that machine. I do repair work on old slots.

[radiorich123]

Looks like it needs a meck clean and de-greasing. The rust can also cause a problem. Good luck on the 1$ slot find.

[Mark 68]

Nice find! I know a guy here in Oregon, that has the same machine. He says they are rare...it is one he does not want to sell. I would clean it up,and get it working. Best regards!

[daveintulsa]

Thank you all for your replies. I really like the machine and this is something I'm going to hang onto long term. I love the character and craftsmanship that was obviously put in it and being a Sinatra fan it has a little extra meaning to me. Any opinions if I should have it restored or leave it as is? Being completely ignorant of this industry I don't know if its current condition is horrendous or rather typical for the age? Also what would be a reasonable price range to get something like this restored? Maybe the better solution would be to get it operating mechanically and leave the cosmetics? I know ultimately it's my machine, my decision and depends on my intentions. I'm asking these questions because I really don't know what my intentions are. I guess I want to be a good caretaker of the machine given its rarity and don't want to ruin what others before me have left for me to enjoy. I hope that makes sense? This isn't an investment, I'm not looking to profit from it, I don't want to sell it, I just need some input as to what would the appropriate reverence would be for a machine like this.
Thank you,
Dave