Opinion on a Jennings Club Chief Slot Machine

[Microbus99]

Hello Everyone,

I'm looking for a little moral support here. During a Vintage Pachinko purchase today the old fellow that sold it to me showed me this Slot Machine and said "lets make a deal"!!

Not knowing anything about it I gave him $50 for it.

The back was still locked but we managed to get it opened. Everything mechanically appears to be in place. It belonged to his wife who has had it for about 30 years or more. It was never used!

The only thing that appears to be missing is the payout schedule on the right.

From my minimal research so far it appears to be a late 30's model. Does this seem right?

I paid more for this thing then I did the Pachinko Machine I met him for. I got the Pachi for $30 with slight damage to the front bottom tray. I'm cool with that.

Do I need a swift kick in the butt?

[Moparformances]

i think u made a great buy

i bet u can sell it for 2 or 3 hundred easy

looks like it was a great machine.. and a dime to boot.. dime machines are hard to find.. dimes are so thin the machines were notorius for jaming.. to bad u arnt closer..

nice pachinko

great slot

[takethecastle57]

Cool deal on a vintage slot

[Meathead]

That model you have there is a 'Super De Luxe Club Chief.'

It was the first illuminated slot machine and it was a companion model to the 'Standard Chief'. They were produced from 1946 until the early 1960's. You got a real good deal with that one!

[compirate]

Youngjedi is our antique/classic slot guru, he restores them for a living.

Pachi Wars Episode IV (really Episode I) - A New Hope! - Page 4

[luckydog]

restored those go for big bucks

[Youngjedi]

HOLY (You know what)!!! You paid 50 bucks?! Oh my god. You got a sweet deal Either the seller did not know what he had, or, it's stolen.


Cogratulations on the machine!

You are missing the payout card (goes in the lighted window on the right), but You can get a repro of that for a few bucks.

Now, Are you sitting down? here we go. If the machine is restored ( wood refinished, castings re-chromeg, and the mech is cleaned, tuned and all complete, you are looking at a machine that has the potential of about 1700 - 2300 dollars. (based on todays economy). a perfect all original machine (no restoration done ever but in new looking condition) can go for 2500 or more. Again...WOW and Congrats.

As for the payout card, here is a link:

Slots Parts - Page 29

You will need to make sure the payout schedule is correct and has not been altered...for example, 2 cherrys pays ?, two cherrys and a lemon or bell pays ?, three oranges pays ?, etc. this can be done by playing the machine.


DO NOT DRILL OUT LOCK! if you managed to get it opened without damaging the lock and the lock is original, it is worth taking to a locksmith and having a new key made. Original locks are not easy to come by and can start at 50 - 75 bucks.

Charlie,
C&A SloT Restorations...Got a Nickel? We've got the machine.

[pinball wizard]

that is one great buy you got there,microbus.does he have any more lying around?

[Microbus99]

Wow..thanks for all the expert opinions. I did see some in a search at other auctions than Ebay in the $2500 range all cleaned up in better original condition than this one. The guy I got it from used to have this machine in his office as kind of a novelty and got sick of hauling it around to his new office. It probably weighs close to 75 pounds. He's fallen on "hard times" and is getting rid of bunch of stuff. Sorry, he doesnt have any more of them.

I shouldnt have any problems restoring this to near new condition. Just like any other mechanical device, I just need to study it for a few hours and then tear into it. Finding time to do this while I have 15 Pachinko machines to restore is another story.

That missing payout card is the biggest bummer but Jedi, you just helped me immensely!! Thank you!!

Oh and Jedi, it has one of those circular type locks. Not sure if thats original or not. Thanks a ton for your links!!!

[Youngjedi]

No Problem.

As you will notice, the mechanism unlocks and slides out. Before doing anything...Take lots of pictures before removing anything...(it's how I learned the Machines). Also, There are a lot of books out there that can help. The best one is:

Crow River Trading Co. | BK071

You can find it cheaper on Ebay.

Most slot machine locks of that era look like this:

OD Jennings Yale slot machine lock with keys # ODJ 1738 - eBay (item 140356435831 end time Nov-08-09 1217 PST)