Mills Vest Pocket serial number idenify year

[josephhartz]

Hello all
How can I identify what year my Mills Vest Pocket was made. The serial number # is 37288.

[shortrackskater]

There used to be a coin-op registry here but it appears to be dead. You can sort of view serial numbers and the very few photos posted. But it won't let me log into it here anymore and I can't search my own entries. And the link to contact is broken. Too bad.
BUT... thanks to wonderful AI... it gives an answer that I believe is fairly accurate. I have three VP's working and a bunch more to get to!

Based on the serial number 37288, your Mills Vest Pocket slot machine was likely produced in the late 1940s, specifically around 1947–1948.
While the Mills Novelty Co. began production of the Vest Pocket series in 1938, the serial numbers for these machines generally followed a chronological sequence as they produced approximately 50,000 units through the early 1950s.

Production Context for Your Serial Number:
Early Units (1938–1940): Serial numbers in the low thousands (e.g., 22563 is identified as a 1940s model, likely from the very start of that decade).
Mid-to-Late Units (1946–1950s): Mills resumed and intensified production after World War II. A major post-war release occurred in 1946. Given that roughly 50,000 total units were made, a serial number in the 37,000 range sits in the latter half of the production run.

[nvmos2]

Very nice; you posted this thread under trade stimulators, but I'm sure you realize the VP is actually considered a slot machine.
I think your serial number indicates it was produced before the end of WW II.

I've had several VPs and am working on 2 now; interested to know;
What company is named on the serial number plate on the bottom of the case?
What size coin does your machine take?
Looks like a replacement lock; what make lock/key is it?
Is there anything stamped on the coin door flap?
Is there a serial number sticker on the mechanism?
Does the mechanism have a meter attached?

Thanks

[shortrackskater]

For member nvmos2 - He's also got the award flap with the "plus +" on it. I have a few with that but never knew what it meant... other than maybe an additional payout from the establishment?

Maybe a moderator can move this to slot machines. I didn't even notice it was in trade stimulators. Yes this is a full blown slot machine!

[nvmos2]

[quote="shortrackskater"]For member nvmos2 - He's also got the award flap with the "plus +" on it. I have a few with that but never knew what it meant... other than maybe an additional payout from the establishment?

Yes; that is correct; I saw that he has a Plus award plate;
The Plus machines indicate the location paid out a JP award for 3 bars in addition to the machine payout of 20 coins.
That is why I asked if the mech has a meter;
Plus machines had a metered JP so that the location could account for Plus awards out of the cash box proceeds.
If a Plus machine does not have a metered JP, the machine is not correct, it indicates the mechanism was swapped out or the meter removed, as so often happens.
Also, the mechanism sticker number originally matched the case serial number plate, but that is also not often found on machines after all these years.