Newbie - help with (I think) a casino-modified Mills

[rmacklin]

Hi all. I've been browsing the forums and web trying to figure out what kind of antique slot machine my parents have. I think I've narrowed my possibilities down, and was hoping for a little clarification from the folks here.

Here are the details:

1. Purchased in Nevada (Lake Tahoe) in the late 60's or early 70's from a dealer.
2. Parents think it is a 5 cent Mills, and was specially made for a small casino called the Nugget, located next to Harveys.
3. I think it is a Mills High Top, spec made for the casino.
4. I also think it was modified by the casino at some point. Specifically, (a) I can't find any other Mills machine that has the same front as this one, (b) there is a add-on sticker on the front saying that three little dancing miner-guys in any position pays $1.00 (this payout isn't on the pay-out plaque), and (c) the reels appear to have been retrofitted with some new stickers pasted over the old ones.
5. Other than that, it looks original. It used to work, and will still, I think, once I unjam it.
6. It also has three electrical plugs, two internally which, I think, relate to the bell that plays with a jackpot, and one that looks like a lamp cord (in-line switch) that exits the machine through a hole drilled in the wooden side of the machine. I suspect the lamp cord is retrofitted as well.

I'll add some pictures below.

My questions for you all are:

1. Any idea if I'm right in my suspicions about the machine?
2. If so, any info on the casino in question?
3. Any suggestions on the best book/manual to buy so I can clean the guts up and get it working again?
4. Any idea how much value I'm destroying, if any, by (a) making it work again, without replacing any parts (i.e.; cleaning and oiling the gears, etc.), or (b) if I break it completely somehow so that it is totally non-functional?

Thanks in advance to everyone!

A link to a picture album:

http://www5.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare ... =snapfish/