Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Mills Bell Not Sure of Type

  1. #1
    Fever Hunter ACMech's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Beavercreek, OH
    Posts
    177
    Thanks
    439
    Thanks Received
    465

    Default Mills Bell Not Sure of Type

    My uncle found out I was fixing up Vintage Pachinkos and asked me if I wanted an old nickel slot machine he had that wasn't working. I of course said yes, and the pic below is what I got. Needless to say, I'm very happy. The innards were coated with WD-40, and it was all very sticky. However, the real problem was that the escalator (the part that takes the nickels across the top) had an opening in it and was dropping nickels into the mechanism, where one of them had gotten stuck in the payout mechanism, forcing a 3 coin payout each time it was played. I've got it all working now, and it's working perfectly, however, it still needs a lot of TLC to get it in good shape. I know it's a Mills Bell, I'm not sure of the year, or how to find it out, some things that don't match the book I got were: it doesn't have a plunger to slow down the big lever you pull to get it to start, and the rod the wheels are on has a screw that holds it in on each end. Incidentally, the jackpot works, as my wife was playing with it and got it to pay out , which I understand is one of the things that sometimes doesn't work. I however, after playing it multiple times (hours) haven't been able to get a jackpot... If anybody knows something about this particular style of machine, or could tell me how to date it, that would be neat info for me to find out.

    Thanks!
    Mills Bell.jpg

  2. The following 3 users say "Thanks" to ACMech


  3. #2
    Pachi Puro Moparformances's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Diamond Springs CA
    Posts
    14,076
    Thanks
    26,525
    Thanks Received
    12,096

    Default Re: Mills Bell Not Sure of Type

    member young jedi seems to know allot about slots... my guess is a mid 30's machine..

    ============================================================ ===========

    ya know that if you stop the clock by hand you can set the reels by hand to check the different payouts...
    Never Doubt that a small group of thoughtful, .......... /........ If your not going to stand behind our troops
    ...committed people can change the world. ............. /.................Please, Please stand in front of them
    .....Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has............./
    .........................................Margaret Mead

  4. The following user says "Thanks" to Moparformances


  5. #3
    Scowlin' Jean Hornigold hanabi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    at the 'Seaside' (UK)
    Posts
    27,333
    Thanks
    51,524
    Thanks Received
    30,711

    Default Re: Mills Bell Not Sure of Type

    Congratulations that's a very interesting looking machine,

    sorry i can't offer any help with info, but pretty sure there are other members here that know about these type of slot machines and will hopefully post

    Angie ...
    Pachinkos, Pachislos, Coffee, Papercraft Ninja, Pinball

    I ran away with the Steampunk Circus!
    I was hiding in a room in my mind...
    You crush the lily in my soul...



  6. The following user says "Thanks" to hanabi


  7. #4
    be vewy vewy quiet im hunting pachis... Lt Teddy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Walla Walla , Wa.
    Posts
    1,385
    Thanks
    1,863
    Thanks Received
    2,148

    Default Re: Mills Bell Not Sure of Type

    Well I should of read down further in the posts. Thanks for the pictures. Based on my old 1942 Mills quarter machine ( now given to Mopar ) I would say it is before or around 1940. I am sure that the motif on front was from maybe a roman type of casino. I am sure their are books around on these. If one of the members does not have one you might look at the local library. After looking more closely at the pictures I think it could be older than 40 as it has the paper payout sheet on it. Nice machine and the price was right. Pretty soon you will be like the rest of us and cutting back for space to put something better in. Of course their is the other option of not looking but that one does not work very well.
    Over the hills and threw the woods, pachi hunting we go.
    Arrangeball Hunter
    ARRANGEBALLS 5, Slots 12

  8. The following 2 users say "Thanks" to Lt Teddy


  9. #5
    Kungishi Youngjedi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    1,780
    Thanks
    18
    Thanks Received
    2,305

    Default Re: Mills Bell Not Sure of Type

    Congrats on a great machine. It is a Mills "Silent Golden Bell". Also known as the "Roman Head". Mills started Manufacturing them in 1932 along with the War Eagle. With the picture that you show, I can say that it is an original. This machine was commonly "Reproduced". They are still being made today. What tells me it looks original is the following... It plays Nickels (Most repros play Quarters), The handle is correct for the machine, There are two 4 inch nails in the base (none in a repro) and lastly, There is a "Reserve" jackpot. Once a jackpot is won, The bottom window empties. If everything is working normally, The top window will fill the bottom window on the next pull. and then the top window will begin to fill from the machine over time.

    The Great news...You got one of the most prize Silent Bells. Other models include "War Eagle", "Bursting Cherry", "Castle Front" and the "Extraordinary" but none are as sought after as the Roman Head.. If the Mech inside is Original (I can tell from a few pictures if you want). Then you have a machine that is worth roughly $2200 in that condition, or $2700 fully restored. (Today's market)

    On an afterthought...There are two issues I have to weather it may be a repro. You mention that there is no Pump. The machine should have a pump. Repros do not always have a pump. Some do, some dont. Also, Repro pay out on 1 cherry. The 1930's mills machines would always pay out on 2 cherrys...not one. Again, I would have to see the insides to confirm.

    Lastly, You mentioned that it smells like WD40. If you want, Try to wipe off all of that. The machine was designed to have very little lubrication and All WD40 is going to do is "Gum Up" the machine. It's more a solvent than a Lubricant. It will eventually evaporate and leave behind a black dirty Tar substance that will slow the machine down...If you need to oil it, Oil with 3-in-1 or Zoom Spout oil and only the axles on the linkages...never oil the coin slides.

    Youngjedi
    Antique Slot Machine and Trade Stimulator Restoration Services
    Youngjedi


  10. The following 5 users say "Thanks" to Youngjedi


  11. #6
    Pachi Puro Moparformances's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Diamond Springs CA
    Posts
    14,076
    Thanks
    26,525
    Thanks Received
    12,096

    Default Re: Mills Bell Not Sure of Type

    Quote Originally Posted by Youngjedi View Post
    Mills started Manufacturing them in 1932


    Quote Originally Posted by Youngjedi View Post
    Lastly, You mentioned that it smells like WD40. If you want, Try to wipe off all of that. The machine was designed to have very little lubrication and All WD40 is going to do is "Gum Up" the machine. It's more a solvent than a Lubricant. It will eventually evaporate and leave behind a black dirty Tar substance that will slow the machine down...If you need to oil it, Oil with 3-in-1 or Zoom Spout oil and only the axles on the linkages...never oil the coin slides.

    Youngjedi
    great information... i was also told that old school IBM typewriter oil works really good... (but very hard to find)
    Never Doubt that a small group of thoughtful, .......... /........ If your not going to stand behind our troops
    ...committed people can change the world. ............. /.................Please, Please stand in front of them
    .....Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has............./
    .........................................Margaret Mead

  12. The following user says "Thanks" to Moparformances


Similar Threads

  1. New Mills Slot Machine !!
    By millermaster1 in forum Slot Machines | English Fruit Machines | Rotamints
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 07-26-2011, 04:15 AM
  2. Pachinko Machine - $50 Gravois Mills
    By JACKSJE4 in forum FB Marketplace, Craig's List and Other Listings
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 05-10-2011, 02:29 PM
  3. Slot machine - $200 Caddo Mills Texas
    By SlotsRfun in forum FB Marketplace, Craig's List and Other Listings
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 02-03-2010, 06:55 PM
  4. 1930s mills pinball
    By mudfud in forum eBay - General Auction listings
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 01-25-2010, 02:13 PM
  5. hey jacksea, here's a vintage mills pinball
    By mudfud in forum eBay - General Auction listings
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 01-09-2010, 05:24 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •