Expert: Rodger Knutson - 10/19/2009

Question
QUESTION: I'm going to look at a Bally 847 continental in "fair" condition, working, with 1 problem, you dont have to put in a coin to pull the handle. How much would this be worth? what would be a fair offer? Thank you in advance

ANSWER: Hi Tony,

Boy, this is the fifty dollar question.... I guess I would have to give you a retail value of about 800.00 to 1,000.00. You can find them wholesale for less then that, like in the 500.00 to 600.00 range. As it is, I can't tell you anymore then that as we know nothing about it and what kind os shape it is in, but you wanted an idea as to a value, so my retail value is close and is something you can work with.

Thank You
Sincerely
Rodger Knutson
http://www.coinslots.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you, it gave me an idea what the value is/might be. I pick it up, with a stand, for $300, but no keys...are there standard keys, or will I need to just replace the locks?

Answer
Hi Tony,

I think you will do well with it at that price. You will have to replace the door lock. Casino's seldom ever let their locks out of the door, machines always come from the casino floors without locks. So, someone has installed a new lock at sometime, and you will have to replace it. They're not a real common lock and I can't even find them around here in Seattle. Not even at some locksmiths shops. They have a square or more rectangular shank for the lock cam and it uses a nut to hold the cam on, and found only in good quality locks. If you can't find one, I have a few new ones left in stock. Just email me at Jackpot7@q.com The lock cam from your old lock, you will want to save as this is made for the Bally machine and is also hard to also find. To replace the lock you will need to remove the locking bar which slides, located on the door frame, (Three Philip's head screws I think) and the coin mechanism so you can get at the large locks mounting nut. If you need anything or help on it just let me know and "we will getter her done". I drill out the center of the lock which turns with the same size drill to drill through the lock shear line. Once the lock is drilled and the lock cam is free, you most likely will need to turn the whole machine upside down and wiggle the door in and out up and down, and trying to get the sliding locking bar to fall in the direction of the top of the machine. This sliding bar locks the door down in three hooks, top-center-bottom, so the bar is going to need to be lifted to get the door to release from the three hooks on the cabinet. If you can't raise it from the hole in the lock, then try to turn the machine upside down so this bar will fall instead, and it will if you can jiggle the door when the machine is upside down. If you didn't know all this, you may of never got that door open after drilling the lock.

Thanks Tony, and Cheers to your good deal!

Rodger Knutson
http://www.coinslots.com