Expert: Rodger Knutson - 7/31/2008

Question
Hi, I found you on the web. I'm an antique dealer, currently in Sweden. I found a pin ball machine I can buy, pretty cheap, about 150 dollars. Its about 2 by 4 feet or so, and its probably 60 to 70 years old. Its got pins that have metal slinky like rings of metal around them for the bumpers to score points, and a drum with numbers operated by a chain mechanism to keep score. The coin device and electronics are old,and dont necessarily work. Its in a self contained box, without legs or a headboard. Its old! I can ship it easily in my container, what's the value range to sell wholesale to you. I know its hard to estimate, but is it worth buying? Thanks, Darrel

Answer
Hi Darrel,

I have been pondering your question here in detail for awile. Your offer is very interesting and my personal e-mail address is jackpot7@ix.netcom.com if you can come up with photo's or game name, manafucturers name or any other games or information. If this game never had legs, it might of been made around 1932 to 33 most games after that had legs, and some, very few, before this date had legs. So, without a game name or manufacture let's say it 1932 and check the values of that err games. But first, this could even be a Bagatelle but I don't think so by your description. Electricity in pins showed up at or before 1934, so I guess we are past that date with your pin. Most, but not all games after 36 had head boards. I am going to guess the legs on this machine are just missing, and it doesn't have a head board so lets put in 34 to 36. In this period a none working game has only a value of around 150.00, so this is just not worth it for you to deal with it, as a picker. You would have a hard time making any kind of profit on it. I would say no to your question Darrel, it's not worth it. Unless it's some rare one of a kind model, but I don't think so.
Hope this helps.
Rodger