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Thread: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

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    Tokie Owens Seniorcgar's Avatar
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    Thumbs up Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    Hello everyone!!! I found this old Nishijin Sophia Pachinko machine in my fathers garage. I remember playing it as a child in the 1970's but don't know anything else about it. It's in rough shape and I don't think it works (I haven't even tried it). I'm looking for help figuring out what model and year this is and if there it would be worth restoring. (pictures attached)

    I appreciate your time reading my post and giving me any feedback you have.

    Thanks,
    Eric
    Attached Images Attached Images

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    Sandwich Shooter machgo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    Nice! A lot cleaner than most I buy from people's houses.

    I want one.

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    Pachi Puro Moparformances's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    first off
    Welcome to Pachitalk

    Nice looking machine.. in above average shape. I dont see anything wrong with it. looks complete.. do you have balls for it??

    i would say mid 70's.. a better pic of the tax stamp in the lower left corner will provide the expiration date and then you take a year or 18 months off for a production date..

    lots of help hear to help you get it going.. feel free to ask questions..

    take a lok at these

    https://www.pachitalk.com/forums/sho...-Model-B-Video

    https://www.pachitalk.com/forums/sho...-Machine-works

    https://www.pachitalk.com/forums/sho...chinko-Machine
    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

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    Tokie Owens Seniorcgar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    Thanks for all of the info!!! I do have balls for it. The original balls are pitted and rusty. I did buy some new balls online a few years ago thinking I would restore it, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Here is a better picture of the tax stamp in the lower left. Does that help you determine the date?

    Pachinko20.jpg

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    Sandwich Shooter machgo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    If I read it right, it looks to be from around 1974 or 1975. Someone can confirm or refute this. That "51" on the stamp is the showa year. Add 25 to that and that is the expiration year--76, as in 1976. These devices were meant to be in parlers for 1 to 2 years then get retired, making room for new machines.

    At least I think that's how the system works. Again, someone can confirm this or provide a more accurate explanation.

    A nice machine, restored or not!

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    Blind Shooter GameXGame's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    Quote Originally Posted by Seniorcgar View Post
    Hello everyone!!! I found this old Nishijin Sophia Pachinko machine in my fathers garage. I remember playing it as a child in the 1970's but don't know anything else about it. It's in rough shape and I don't think it works (I haven't even tried it). I'm looking for help figuring out what model and year this is and if there it would be worth restoring. (pictures attached)

    I appreciate your time reading my post and giving me any feedback you have.

    Thanks,
    Eric
    vintage 1976 Nishijin Sophia B
    Ownership License ends March 1976
    Shizuka Public Safety Commision Showa 51, Feb, 12th

    Looks to be in in workable shape, though I'd inspect the small tension spring located just above the right-hand corner of the clear jackpot cover. Rusty springs are known to snap.

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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    Quote Originally Posted by machgo View Post
    If I read it right, it looks to be from around 1974 or 1975. Someone can confirm or refute this. That "51" on the stamp is the showa year. Add 25 to that and that is the expiration year--76, as in 1976. These devices were meant to be in parlers for 1 to 2 years then get retired, making room for new machines.

    At least I think that's how the system works. Again, someone can confirm this or provide a more accurate explanation.

    A nice machine, restored or not!
    spot on.. but its my understanding they were in a max of 18 months.. but i could be wring as well..

    Quote Originally Posted by GameXGame View Post
    vintage 1976 Nishijin Sophia B
    Ownership License ends March 1976
    Shizuka Public Safety Commision Showa 51, Feb, 12th

    Looks to be in in workable shape, though I'd inspect the small tension spring located just above the right-hand corner of the clear jackpot cover. Rusty springs are known to snap.
    please elaborate on what spring you are referring to??
    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

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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    The ball-dump latch has a spring located between the jackpot cover's right-hand corner and jackpot's brown feeder tracks; this spring is the tensioner to the ball-dump latch.

    If you want, i can post a quick youtube video.

    UPDATE: posted quick video:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHiaNzPZUUw
    Last edited by GameXGame; 05-02-2021 at 09:34 PM.

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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    Quote Originally Posted by GameXGame View Post
    The ball-dump latch has a spring located between the jackpot cover's right-hand corner and jackpot's brown feeder tracks; this spring is the tensioner to the ball-dump latch.

    If you want, i can post a quick youtube video.

    UPDATE: posted quick video:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHiaNzPZUUw
    ooh, yes that spring.. never seen a problem with that.. but great advice for future reference
    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

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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    WELCOME!!!

    "Blowing smoke rings at the moon."

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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    Thanks for all of the great information!!! I'm going to try and clean it up and see if it works. Stay tuned...

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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    When things don't go right the 1st time , Step back ,Take a break and come back renewed. RGS

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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    One more question... Is there any way to clean-up/restore rusty pachinko balls?

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    Pachi Puro emmadog's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    they're cheap enough to buy new ones. even when cleaned, they'll likely be pitted.
    EM Pinballs & Arrangeballs

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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    Quote Originally Posted by Seniorcgar View Post
    One more question... Is there any way to clean-up/restore rusty pachinko balls?
    Walnut shells in a vib tumbler is what i use.. but as stated if they are pitted toss them.. the rough spots will give added wear and tear on the playfields..

    if no tumbler other members use hot hot water (damn hot water) then clr and buff them dry in a bath towel.. make sure you get them dry or they will rust again..
    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

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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    Here it is... Pachinko-restored1.jpgPachinko-restored2.jpg

    After taking it all apart and doing a lot of cleaning, my pachinko machine is working great. I'm happy with the results.

    Here is a youtube of it in action. I was surprised that all of the electornics and bulbs worked on it.
    https://youtu.be/b8gHmr3Dbmg

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    Tokie Owens Seniorcgar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    Here it is...

    Pachinko-restored1.jpgPachinko-restored2.jpg

    After taking it all apart and doing a lot of cleaning, I'm impressed at how it turned out. Everything works great, including the lights.

    Here is a quick youtube video if it in action:



    Thanks for all of your help and input!!! I couldn't have done it without all of you!!!

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    Default Re: Vintage Nishijin Sophia Barn Find - I need your help identifying it

    i would recommend you soften the shooter spring.. i set mine so that at full pull it will hit the rubber bumper.. yours is set so your pounding the rubber bumper and bouncing back to mid playfield.. your gonna ruin that bumper..
    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

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