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I just bought my second Mills slot machine. Above link, you can see photos.

I brought it home and played with it a bit, the coins that were in the chute were from the 40s and 50s. The seller said that it has been in his family for around 50 years, and told his kids that it was broken so nobody touched it. It works, except for the jackpot, which I have been trying to figure out for the past few days. I don't know much about this machine, or really what I am doing, so any information or resources you can share would be appreciated. I am looking for a PDF book for repairs, but it doesn't look like anyone has made one yet.

I have found Owner's Pictorial Guide by Robert N. Geddes and Daniel R. Mead; Available on Ebay from DCMead for $54 shipped.
I have found The Mills Manual by Marshall A Fey; I don't remember where I found it. But you have to send him a letter with a check $27 shipped.

Serial Number: 472808
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If you know anything about this machine, please let me know. Thank You.

Here are 3 video links to how to repair and correctly set up a MILLS JACKPOT.
I hope this helps you. Please let me know how it turns out for you.

1-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaqnR9lmX3s

2-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mTflHNAOC4

3-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA8QUP2T57E

Thank you, I have seen all 3 of those videos.

I believe it has something to do with the lever in these images where it is not moving forward to release the jackpot.

Where is the serial number stamped?
Seems too low for a Diamond Front.

The serial number is stamped on the back of the machine, under the door.

Your first post indicates the serial begins with 17xxxx.

Hard to tell from photo, but looks like it is 47???8;
that would put it in the expected range for a Diamond Front.

Upon further inspection, it does look like a 4. It is faint, I'll update the original post at the top. Thank you for your keen eye.

The lever you are highlighting just keeps the jackpot from dumping when you remove the mechanism. Your likely problem(s) are on the other side of the jackpot. I suspect hardened grease on the other levers. (that line can be reused anywhere on the mech there is a problem). You really need to remove the jackpot and take those levers off and clean and relube them. To remove the jackpot I usually lay the machine face down on a towel to protect the castings. There is 1 screw in the top center and usually two (one on the pump side and one on the cash box side) more screws at the bottom. They are definitely difficult to reinstall with the sub-base in place. Alternatively, you can remove the bottom casting which makes access much easier. The Geddes/Mead book is great with pictures and descriptions, but make sure you take your own pics.

I need to get some reference material. I have found 2 books that are available.

The assembly is not sticky, I thought that was the culprit at first, so I cleaned away the old grease the best I could without taking it completely apart. I was able to get the assembly out of the machine without any issues.

When the mech is in the case, the mech does not push up against the arm enough to trigger the jackpot, the mech needs to more about a 1/8" forward. If I push it up after a jackpot, it will release.

HI, You wrote that it was not making contact and in your picture a set of washers were missing if installed this may give you that 1/8" you need. by doing that or even placing another layer of glass etc you would have the trip arm closer to the mechanism.
I do not know if the glass is original but what I see different is no felt washers and maybe different glass (possibly not as thick ). picture of felt washers.
Reason for washers quote from another tech (Replacement for damaged or missing felt washers used to isolate jackpot so that the glass is not damaged or cracked when tightening.
I am throwing this idea out there. It may stick.
Since the slot machine was last used in service something changed that changed the DISTANCE FROM THE TRIGGER ON THE MECHANISM TO THE JACKPOT. Try to use washers but don't over tighten them . felt washers can be made or they are on EBAY.
I hope this helps get you closer to a completely working slot machine.