How do you identify a fake Sun Chief?

[Dave]

I am working on my talk to COCA. I have never really messed with Sun Chiefs much but know there are some fakes out there.

Anyone know how to identify a fake Sun Chief?

Dave

[buzzojoe]

I don't know how you would "fake" a Sun Chief. There are no reproduction "plastics" available, and used originals are VERY hard to find. I'm thinking that someone could take a standard Sun Chief and make it into a more desirable model like a "Sweepstakes" or "tic tac toe", or could change the plastic name plates to make it look like it was in a specific casino. If someone had reproduction plastic columns they could probably take a machine like "The Governor" that weren't light ups, machine out the metal areas in the front and then install the plastics and lights behind them. But the price difference between the two models probably wouldn't justify all of the work involved....
The desireable models like the Sweepstakes and Tic Tac Toe pay out differently from a standard Sun Chief, so that would probably be the biggest giveaway that a machine had been "faked"....

[watlingboy]

While no reproduction plastics are available for sale, they have been made. I believe the entire casting set has been reproduced. I know for sure that the lower casting and plastics have been made. Lower solid front Sun Chiefs have been converted to light ups.

Watlingboy

[SLOT DYNASTY]

While no reproduction plastics are available for sale, they have been made. I believe the entire casting set has been reproduced. I know for sure that the lower casting and plastics have been made. Lower solid front Sun Chiefs have been converted to light ups.

Watlingboy

Yes, you are correct in saying that the lower castings & plastics have indeed been Repro'd for the Sun Chiefs.
And we all know who is the best customer in Vegas for all that crap. The Chicago show booth, and every VCA
auction has a fair share of them. I feel sorry for the people that are purchasing this Bogus junk.

[buzzojoe]

Ok,
So forgive me for being a little blunt here, but if "everyone knows that the plastics have been reproduced", and who "the biggest customer is for them", how come no one will email or private message me and let me know who does or did repro them?
I'm not looking to trick anyone or make any fake machines. I'm just a collector who has some Sun Chiefs that NEED repro plastics so that I can restore the machines and put them into my collection!

[terick2104]

First I would check with Alan Sax in Chicago, he seems to specialize in Jennings. You said you haven't seen any plastics available on Ebay in the last two years, when I have seen them up for sale numerous times. Maybe because I check Ebay several times a day. Lately there hasn't been any for the last 6 months or so, but they have been offered. I don't know if they are original or new [possibly new because they look pretty good]

[SLOT DYNASTY]

Ok,
So forgive me for being a little blunt here, but if "everyone knows that the plastics have been reproduced", and who "the biggest customer is for them", how come no one will email or private message me and let me know who does or did repro them?
I'm not looking to trick anyone or make any fake machines. I'm just a collector who has some Sun Chiefs that NEED repro plastics so that I can restore the machines and put them into my collection!

I don't think anyone, (including myself), thinks you are making up 'Light-up' repros. I do not know personally who is making the plastics,
but I was told a long time ago that they were being made. Why I believe this, is because the JERK in Vegas has been changing over the
common Jennings models into light-ups for several years, and I find it impossible to think that he bought a truckload of original plastics.
He has the PHONEYS at every Chicago show, and they are placed in every VCA auction. I guess one could stoop to the worst source, and
call the Clown that is buying so many, to get his suppliers number, but I doubt he will even tell you, as he Lies about other things that
people have asked him about. Your best bet, would be to contact Alan Sax, as he does deal in a lot of Jennings models. Good Luck, Bill

[SLOT DYNASTY]

buzzojoe:
I just called Alan Sax. He knows a guy that makes the plastics, but didn't have
the info at his disposal, as he was away from home at present. One thing he did
mention, is that he had a set of originals for sale at $250.00 If you still haven't
located another source for the plastics, maybe after the Holidays would be a
good time to pursue it farther with Alan.
Bill

[vest pocket]

I was cruising the net, killing time and came across this Sun Chief on youtube and thought of this thread. The first thing I thought of was the castings, the escalator and light panels looked a little off. Then I played the video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c1e7RQ9fJY#t=37