CoinOpCollectorForum.com

Please see Flebay item number 300911190378.

This is a Rock-Ola Sweepstakes;
the seller states the cabinet looks to be new and is not sure if the castings are original.

My guess is that this machine is one of the total reproductions that I've heard about, but I've never looked at one up close and cannot say that with confidence.
If this is a total repro, that is really unfortunate; I can see how a lot of buyers have been duped by them.
I've heard that the repros usually do not have a tilt peg,
but then my Sweepstakes, which is clearly an original, is missing the tilt peg, so that cannot be definitive.

Can anyone point out what is definitely original on this machine?

Well, Bill is the authority on these but I think it is original, just over restored. The guy who is currently making the repros has filled in the hole where the tilt pin chain goes, this one has the hole. Also I don't think the repro has the reject button in the back door, this one has it. It is possible that other people reproduced this machine earlier and did a better job. The reason the tilt pin if usually gone is because it is connected and reset with a very fine chain that was very easily boken.

Watlingboy

I realize it is just a tad late for a response on the "Official Sweepstakes" in question, as it has been sold. But, I will toss out a few comments, just from what I seen in the
auction photos. Not being able to see this one live, makes it tough, as it has had extensive work. The entire wood case is new. The back door is the wrong wood, and cut
a bit short, and the push button is not original style. Either the back door window opening was not cut out correctly, or the coin chute casting inside was not lined up in
the center. I see many flaws in the castings, that tell me they are recasts. There were also 2 or 3 different color detail schemes on the factory releases, but some of the
paint detail on this one is incorrect. Half of the horses are incorrect colors. Especially the ugly gold one. All paper appears new. The instruction cards were never white
with black letters. The stop posts on the playfield are not all the same height. Not all factory models had the tilt-post, but this one is supposed to, as the indented hole
is present. Many of the mechanism parts look too new, not just cleaned. My guess, is that this is either a total repro, or close to 60% to 80% is. I do not think it is one of
the total repros from So. Calif., as there are a few differences in this one.

Very helpful information in the previous 2 posts!

When I saw this listing, I suspected it was one of the total reproductions I've heard about.
Although I was not interested in bidding, it is important to have this type info available to anyone looking for a Sweepstakes to not get duped.
Don't know where else they could go to get this info.

I was not aware that someone was still currently reproducing them.
If I knew who it was, I could contact him to see if he is willing to share "How to tell my reproductions from originals."
Anyone with an ethical character would be happy to do that.

I also do not know the original paint variations, but could tell the paint scheme was not correct.
I thought the front of the castings also looked good, but the insides looked suspicious.
With my limited knowledge, I could not identify any part to be original without question.

You've got to give some kudos to the seller;
he seemed to be upfront about the status of this machine and posted 2 updates to indicate there were questions about its originality.
Many sellers would not do that.

It sold for $1213 plus S&H.
I don't know if that is a reproduction price or an original price, but think it is probably somewhere in between.