Newest Addition: 1950's Hokoku
And so the addiction continues….
After seeing the ebay listing posted here, I couldn’t resist adding this one to my collection. I really like old Pachinkos (the older, the better) and I like unusual Pachinkos. Naturally, this one spoke to me on both fronts.
This one was made by Hokoku, and as far as I can tell based on a) the materials used to build it; b) the mechanics on the back; and c) comparing it to other older machines in the photo albums on PachiTalk, this machine was built in the early to mid 1950’s. It arrived via UPS in great condition (a fluke, I know) and it works almost flawlessly. It is very clean for its age, but does need some disassembly and cleaning because someone used petroleum based lubricants on the back to clean the ball paths and lubricate the moving parts. It smells heavily of whatever was used. The cell is in pristine condition and the nails are even shiney.
This machine is both fun and challenging to play. When you shoot the ball, it makes a complete revolution around the play field before it drops down and starts bouncing off the pins. Losing balls drop into the metal trough across the middle of the play field and exit into the losing ball tray on the back. As they land in the trough, they trip a lever inside the trough that releases the next ball to the shooter mechanism (this part is not working as it should and needs adjustment). Balls that land in any of the six win pockets will release the 15 balls in the lower window and pay out the jackpot. Winning balls also trip the lever in the trough that releases the next ball to the shooter mechanism.
Another thing that is unusual about this machine is there isn’t a bell, so the jackpot is paid out pretty quietly.
On the back you will see a transformer and some wiring. Somewhere along the way somebody added a single jackpot light to the machine. They drilled a hole and inserted a flashlight bulb (seen on the front, left side about half way down the frame), then rigged up a switch (close-up photo) so that when you got a jackpot, the normal payout action would create a connection and light the bulb.I can tell from the way it was done that it is not original, but it was added not long after the machine was built (the transformer is very old and the wires are cloth insulated). Since I’m a purist I will probably remove the wiring and light, then patch the hole where the bulb is. But then again, I may not.
Anyway, I am happy with my purchase and am having fun playing this one. If anyone knows what type of machine this is, or a name for the design, please let me know.
Thanks!
Jeff
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over my Pachinko budget any ways 
Originally Posted by emmadog
