AboutRodger Knutson Expertise I am an expert on old coin operated machines, slot machines, trade stimulator's, jukeboxes, old arcade machines, etc. I have been identifying these for people who respond to my web site listed below, for a few years now. In almost all cases I am able to tell them about their old coin operated machines, the year, the value, and other general information about their machines. I do not know much about soda vending machines, coin banks, or scales, but I will try to help you with these if I can. Please email photo's to: jackpot7@ix.netcom.com My web site is at: http://www.coinslots.com
Experience I bought my first slot machine, a .50 Cent Mills Black Cherry in 1969 and have been hooked from that time, I still have that Slot machine! Before that I found a open barrel full of old scraped jukebox wall boxes behind a restaurant, I wanted them all but never took a one of them. Anything that took a coin drove me nuts!
I have inherited a Mills Futurity-that orange paint is unmistakable!
Mine is original-unrestored but worked the last time my parents played with it 10-15 years ago. It also has a black cast iron stand.
We took the back off and found the serial # (389314) on a sticker and "MLB 4440" stamped on the front panel and "Casing MLB 4442" on the upper panel. I didn't look too hard for more numbers. Money box is intact, the care label is still intact on the inside of back door, graphics on rolls are clean and bright. There is no rust on the inside but it looks to need some oil, WD-40 or lubrication of some sort. Didn't seem like a good idea to drop a coin to see what happens.
As for the exterior, the wood needs some attention-no cracks, but the finish is rough, paint is good-a few minor scratches-but still bright and unfaded. The biggest problem are the glass windows which have some discoloration from the inside and one is cracked.
The only thing missing is the pay table/award card. There seems to have been several layered on top of each other but all that remains are the bits around the inside edge of the frame.
I haven't photographed it yet but plan to in the next day or so. I would like to have some idea of value but understand you need the photos for valid numbers.
I have found conflicting information regarding mfg. dates (1934, 1936 & 1937) and would like to know which is right, and number of Futurity machines made. Given this was made so close to our entering WWII and the probability that many were scrapped for metal (especially the stands) I'm hoping I have a rarer than normal Mills slot.
Can you help me?
Thank you,
Pamela
Answer Hi Pamela,
Nice machine, I have one just like it and just rebuilt another for someone. I see your serial number above, and I would guess this puts it in 1935 to 36 judging from my collection of serial numbers. Any MLB numbers you run across are just mills casting numbers for that part, which my fit many different models. You can get a very nice reproduction award card for you machine, there available and I need to order one myself, maybe I should order two, one for you. As for these being scraped for the war effort, well they were almost new then and still making plenty of coins for there owners, but I guess it is possible that some of the older slots made a new life as a tank or something interesting. They ran fairly freely up until the Federal Johnson act of 1950-51 when that made it illegal to transport them across state lines, now this is where and when they moved to the bottom of wells, lakes, and land fills among other places except the ones we have right now which were hidden well over the years. I could scan and send you some history information if you like, just write me at jackpot7@ix.netcom.com and I'll do that for you, I get a lot of mail so say something about Futurity information so I will know what it is. The information I have should give you the serial number run, so as to give you an idea how many were made and where yours would fit in. Value, well these are not cheep, they sell from a low of $2,400.00 to above $4,000.00 which is very high for this, but it's happened.
Thank You
