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Hi,

I'm a newbie here looking to buy my first slot machine. Of course I want an original and not a reproduction. What is your opinion on this one: Ebay# 221362661749
Thanks in advance for your help.

Mike

I think it's probably original, but it's overpriced and I think you could do much better if you're patient. 5c castle fronts are very common--are and always will be +/-$1000 machines. That one has a repro cash box, stripped down mech (no brakes, anticheat, etc). The award card has been jacked with. The back door and probably lock are repro--can't really tell from the mediocre pictures. The great "restorer" put a decal on the handle side (wrong for Mills) and in the wrong place on the non-handle side. One other pretty important point: it says pickup only and it's in Connecticut--one of the illegal states. I would definitely do something else!

Suggestion: post where you are located and what you are looking for and I'm sure someone on this forum will either sell you a machine or find you a decent one at a reasonable price.

Hi atac - Quick question for you on the decal being placed on the handle side. I know I have seen them there on many gooseneck and silent Mills machines both restored and crusty (apparently unrestored).... Is this just incorrect for the Castle Front or all Mills in general? Do you suppose owners added the "extra" decal years ago and that is why I am seeing them on crusty, nasty cases as well as restored ones? I think it looks OK either way but understanding the 'right' way is part of what makes this forum so interesting.

Thanks!

On 1930's Mills, all of the true originals that I have examined have an original decal just on the non-handle side. I am certain that my War eagle and Roman Head are stock original untampered and have the same Mills decal though in a bit different position. Check the pics. Now other manufacturers did it different. I have original Watling and Superior Confection machines that have the original decals on both sides.

Hi, I'm sure others are far more expert than myself, but I've never seen a mint original untouched Mills 30's or 40's machine with a Mills decal on the handle side. I have seen operator or secondary dealer decals on the handle side. I'm not so familiar with goosenecks--can't say I've seen very many that could be considered mint originals.

I have seen them both ways - remember these are old machines from the 30's and you can't tell me that a 80 year old machine is an original untouched machine from the factory with absolutely nothing changed I don't care how crusty it is.

I too have seen them both ways, and, I have been doing machines for over 40 years.

as far as these machines go, there are plenty of machines that are 80 years old, and, have not had anything changed from the way they left the factory... EXCEPT FOR BEING LUBED, AND NORMAL WEAR. Yes, there also plenty of machines that HAVE had things changed.

I have a War Eagle that is as original as one would ever hope to find;
it'a been in my possession for over 30 years.
It has the decals on both sides, including the Fullerton address decal.

Trops79 wrote:Hi,

I'm a newbie here looking to buy my first slot machine. Of course I want an original and not a reproduction. What is your opinion on this one: Ebay# 221362661749
Thanks in advance for your help.

Mike

I just listed a Rol-A-Top on ebay. Starting bid is $1.00 and no reserve.

It might be a good chance for you to get a good machine at a REALLY good price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231186838879?