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Newbie Question

Posted:
Mon Nov 14, 2022 2:04 pm
by VitaminC914
I just attended the Chicago Coin Op show and purchased a O.D Jennings Standard Chief 5c slot machine serial 168088. It does not light up. I am curious to know the year. Also a friend has a similar unit that does light up and wants to trade me even. Any insight is appreciated.
Re: Newbie Question

Posted:
Mon Nov 14, 2022 7:28 pm
by radiorich123
The machine that you have is a common Jennings. If the light up is nice shape go for it.
Rich
Re: Newbie Question

Posted:
Tue Nov 15, 2022 3:16 am
by madmelons
Looks to have original Fitzgerald casino reelstrip bundle in your machine?
Re: Newbie Question

Posted:
Tue Nov 15, 2022 6:06 am
by VitaminC914
@madmelons not sure what that means. Please elaborate. Thank you.
Re: Newbie Question

Posted:
Tue Nov 15, 2022 6:07 am
by VitaminC914
radiorich123 wrote:The machine that you have is a common Jennings. If the light up is nice shape go for it.
Rich
Thank you for your insight. Do you know if I am able to find out the year of manufacture by the serial number?
Re: Newbie Question

Posted:
Tue Nov 15, 2022 6:43 am
by radiorich123
Your jennings slot was made around 1947
Rich
Re: Newbie Question

Posted:
Tue Nov 15, 2022 7:07 am
by madmelons
Hi,
The left hand reel symbol under the centre line is obscured by flash on the reelglass.
Looks to me like a Fitzgerald casino symbol. Now your machine may have had any
number of revisions from when it first left the factory. The mechanism may have
been swapped out for another or just the reel bundle or just the reelstrips or even
a single reel strip or symbol. It would be interesting to know if the other x2 reelstrips,
also have same matching symbol on them. You can also check to see if mechanism
baseplate at lower rear shows same or different serial number to serial number burnt
on outside of non handle cabinet side and how these match to serial number on paper
tag inside. Can also find dates next to burnt in wood serial number on cabinet side plus
mechanism baseplate near to serial number & also sometimes on escalator faceplate?
These tend to be all different dates, however, sometimes only days or week or two apart.
There are people on here with far more experience of Jennings machines than me who
can offer more thorough advice. However check reelstrips & dates and post back here.
Re: Newbie Question

Posted:
Tue Nov 15, 2022 10:56 am
by sam2002
If your machine is from Fitzgeralds that is a bonus, as casino machines are the more desirable machines.
Open the back door and remove the cash box, if there is about a 3” hole in the wood base under the cash box you most likely have a casino machine. (There may or may not be a cash box as casino machines generally emptied into a lower locking cabinet)
Re: Newbie Question

Posted:
Tue Nov 15, 2022 12:14 pm
by VitaminC914
Lots of good info here. I know that it has a paper tag on the inside opposite the handle and the serial number on the tag matches the one engraved in the woood. There is a coin tray but I have not looked underneath it. I will also take close up pics of the strips (I am assuming that means the wheels?) and post here. Thank you again to everyone for their insight.
Re: Newbie Question

Posted:
Tue Nov 15, 2022 1:03 pm
by madmelons
Here's serial number on the mech casting, far right and date far left.
Image is lifted from another thread