Expert: Rodger Knutson - 6/9/2010

Question
QUESTION: In the state of Wisconsin I purchased a Bally slot machine at an auction,a metal plate on the side of the machine say,s Chicago Ill. 809B, MT3947, E99835525 it is very heavy,mostly made of metal. It is a 25 cent 3 wheel machine with a pull down handel on the right side. It probably needs a cleaning and adjusting because sometimes the wheels spin around fine and then another pull on the handel and they will not spin at all. I payed 400.00 for the machine and was wondering if you could tell me what year it was built and approx. value, Thanks !

ANSWER: Hi Dave,

I can't quite determine which model you have, I wish I had a photo of it. It does sound by your model number that it may be a Bally E series with circuit boards, as an E preceding the model indicates that it's electronic, (circuit boards). The numbers after you E does not sound like a E model however. Could you look at the serial number tag again under your handle and check that model number? I don't need the serial number, that doesn't help, I need the model number and it should look something like E-2237-24. I do see another number above and also wonder if it's a M-809 model which would be an electro/mechanical model (M) for mechanical, without circuit boards. So, can you try to clear this up for me a bit? Thank You. Also you may even find some hand stamped numbers on the top of your serial number tag that look like: 01   12    67, if you find these hand stamped numbers on the very top of your model/serial number tag it is the date your machine was made. If you would like to send me a photo, please do to Jackpot7@q.com
Thank you

Rodger Knutson
http://www.coinslots.com

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

QUESTION: I did find a date stamped into the plate like you said it would be, that date is 1/22/70 the machine does have an electrical cord on the backside. I did report the numbers correctly to you from the makers plate near the pull handel, 809B, MT3947. I only have two questions now that we know the date it was built, what would be the approx. value in good working condition and do you know the nearest repair person for Bally machines to the Madison Wisconsin area.

Answer
Hi Dave,

I just went to look something up here on allexperts here and found your question waiting, I wasn't notified of it, so I guess that it was lucky I stopped by here. Great, on this being the correct model number, being the model Bally originally made in 1967, and billed as "MULTIPLIER" Five Times the Win, Five Times the Box Hold, they say. This was the first factory produced 5-coin multiplier. I can't believe just how many of these models are still around after all these years, I see a lot of them. Value is hard to say as they all sell different but ballpark is from 500.00 to 1,200.00 and you see most sell for around 800.00 right now. Your last question and the hardest one, I would use the phone book and look up some of the arcade operator/dealers under amusement games and ask them who is in the area that fixes slot electro/mechanical slot machines. They usually know someone working on the old stuff. Other then that, your next bet might be to put an add up on the COCA Site at: http://www.coinopclub.org/
COCA is: "Coin Operators Collectors Association" and you can post a free add there for Bally E/M repair needed. I hope this gives you all the answers that your looking for Dave, and thank you. If you need a manual for it, you can find a good one "Bally Manual Number 2400" over at my web site below.

Sincerely

Rodger Knutson
Http://www.coinslots.com