New To Me: Bally 1097-4 Navy Star Special 25 Cent

[Krellio23]

Greetings All,

I am new forum member and happy to be here, thank you for having me!

I have been designing and developing slot machines for over a decade now (WMS, Everi, and Eclipse Gaming) but in full candor it's the older 3RM and 5RM stepper machines that really fascinate me.

I was able to acquire an older Bally EG machine that I know very little about and was wondering if any of the experts here cared to chime in with any relevant information. From what I can tell, it is an early 80's Bally Navy Star Special, model is labeled 1097-4 which I believe to be the same as the 742 models. The machine itself is in excellent condition (no chrome peel, discolored/cracked glass, and the internals look excellent) and I believe the stand to not be the original. Everything lights up and works great. Ive attached a picture of her. Questions are:

1-what is the value of something like this. I understand value differs among perspective but if I were to list this for sale, what would be a "fair" asking price? I am not looking to retire on the sale of it, I am just looking for trustworthy advice.

2-If I were to attempt to sell the machine, what would be the best local sales options? (Chicago based)

Thank you all in advance! Interested in learning a bit more about this machine.

[mechanic]

A pic of the front would help as well as where your located.

[Krellio23]

Hi Mechanic-

Thanks for your reply! I uploaded five photos but upon checking your reply I realized that only 1 photo properly loaded. I am located just north of Chicago Illinois, here is another photo, Ill post a few more replies with 1 photo per post. Thank you all in advance.

[Krellio23]

Photo of the model number sticker inside

[Krellio23]

Close up photo of the reel glass and cell strips

[radiorich123]

HI I have sold that type of machine 5 years ago for 1200.00 Probably a lot less today.

[mechanic]

So here's what I now and I don't know much. Your machine started life as a 742A. Looking at the front I seen the small counter unit on the top right corner. No Bally had this unit until the 1088 and 1089 models. Your machine is tagged inside as a 1097-4 which falls into the wide body models. The problem is that Bally supposedly did not make a 1097-4. The models go from 1096 to 1099 with no reference to a 1097. So this is what I think and it hurts to do so. Bally in 1983 was going into the series E machines starting with the 1212 model. The E1212 being the first made but then what to do with a warehouse full of EM's? Well the best to do is convert and update the older models. So even though the 1097-4 of yours is not listed as a regular made model it may well be one of those older updated models Bally converted over. If anyone knows more than me and I don't really kinow much it would be MONTI. Monti whats your thoughts?

[Krellio23]

Guys I really do appreciate the prompt and informative replies. Mechanic that is quite a bit more information than I have found anywhere else on the GOOGLE

Radiorich what would "a lot less today" constitute ?

I don't even know if I want to sell it, I have a lot of different collections and I could see really easily, collecting these old things.

Thanks all-

[radiorich123]

I think you could get 800.00 for it. I would keep it because its in great cond. for the age.

[Krellio23]

Thanks for the feedback radiorich, Im leaning towards keeping it and finding it a permanent home in the house somewhere. Lack of current employment was the main motivation to liquidate it and try to pocket a few hundred dollars but the fact that it's from Chicago and hits home with my occupation, it may be tough to part with.

With that said, are there any places you would recommend listing it aside from the usual ebay, craigslist, Facebook marketplace etc etc?