Expert: David Burritt - 2/8/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello David,
what can you tell me about a Mills 25 cent extraordinary console with the sticker and stamp #115834.  It is painted mission brown, sits in a light brown veneer console, has a plate with a black eagle on the front, works very well.  I would like to find out about its history; I purchased it in Vanuatu and was wondering if it would have been here wit the American armed services during the WWII.  I have contacted Mills but they have no records.
Regards,
Marc

ANSWER: That machine came out in 1936 during the World's Fair.

If you look at the top of the machine you will see it looks like the Empire State Building.

It could have very well been there with the American armed services during WWII.

Dave

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

QUESTION: Thanks, Dave,

Yes, it does look like the empire state building, very art deco.

Is there anywhere I can go to get more details about the machine or parts, manuals, etc?  also, i would like to know what the machine is worth.

Regards,

Marc

Answer
Internal mechanism parts on Mills machines from the 1930s through the 1950s are essentially interchangeable. The only major differences that showed up were in the jackpot mechanisms.

There used to be a manual published on the Mills slot machines but it has been out of publication for years.

I have put out some DVDs on how to restore a Mills slot machine and how to fix most common jams.

More information can be found at www.IBuyOldSlots.com/dvd

As far as value, you can go to www.AntiqueSlotMachinePriceGuide.com and for $3.95 you can see what these have sold for on eBay and at major coin op auction. I would guess your machines value is around $3,000 (in the US).

I also run the price guide service.

You might also go to www.CoinOpCollectorForum.com (which I also run) to get more information.

Dave