Thank you for checking out my first blog entry! I hope to keep this site updated consistently with new and interesting stories and information about the world of antique slot machines and other unique devices. Hopefully the content with some humor and sarcasm added in will compensate for my lack of proper writing skills and make this an informative place to visit!

Antique Prohibition Slot Machine restoration, service, repair and sales, Complete Antique Slot Machine and Coin-operated services / image library and free furum for the coin-op collector and gaming enthusiast, Trade Stimulator Restoration, Madison, Wisconsin, Arlington Heights, Illinois, Restore your Slot Machine, Restore your Trade Stimulator, Pricing and Explanation for Restoration. Oct 25, 2017 The original machines were created around 1906, and have a devout following among slot machine collectors and gaming experts. Many slot fans choose to refurbish their antique slot machines, to keep them in pristine condition. The antique slot machines business is a roaring trade, with a niche market of highly motivated buyers and sellers.

So why in the world would some want to collect, much less base an entire business on finding and restoring antique slot machines? My simply answer is, because they are really cool! In addition to being cool, they are purely an American invention that in many cases over the last 100 years have been very illegal to own.
The first slot machine as we know them today was invented by Charles Fey in San Francisco, CA around 1895. Fey invented a number of coin operated devices but that first slot machine called the Liberty Bell is what started everything! At some point in future postings I will expand on some interesting stories about those first Liberty Bell machines and just how many are around today.
As those first “nickel in the slot” machines became hugely popular in San Francisco and other parts of the country, they also became the source of much criticism, corruption, theft, you name it! The slot machine would have probably flown under the radar but they were making so much money they just kept popping up everywhere and problems were inevitable.
Depending on what part of the country they were in, slot machines were welcomed with open arms, mildly tolerated or simply banned. Even areas where they were strictly a no-no, they still seemed to pop up! With the amount of money each of these machines were making, it was common practice to make sure the proper people were well “taken care of” when the issue of shutting them down came up.
Slot machines flourished during Prohibition, with the decade of the 1930’s, now called the Golden Era of slot machines. During this time slots came in all kinds of designs to attract the player. Internal engineering and external design were at their peak during this time period. All kinds of gimmicks were tried and even unique ways to conceal and quickly move slot machines were invented by the major manufactures during the 1930’s. Everyone associated with slot machines were making money at this time – except for the players.
Just as slot machines were going into the 1940’s with full force, WWII started for the US. All production of slots was stopped from late 1942 until early 1946. After the war companies like Mills Novelty, OD Jennings and Pace geared back up for production but they were in for a big surprise. Changing views on gambling were taking place and by 1951 it became illegal to transport slot machines over state lines. It was also illegal to operate or own slot machines in almost every state except for Nevada.
From the early 1950’s until the early 1980’s it was very illegal for an individual in almost every state to be in possession of a slot machines – regardless of its age. There are lots of stores and period news accounts of people with old slot machines being arrested and given serious fines and jail time during the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. As the old mechanical slots from the 1940’s and older became more obsolete and simply antiques, laws started to change state by state in the 1980’s. Today 44 states have laws making it legal to own antique slot machines of a certain date, typically one at least 25 years old. Here in Kansas where Nations Attic is located, slot machines must have been made before 1951 to be legal to own.

Table Legs

So with that brief history of slot machines covered, it’s clear if you are a collector or history buff why there are so many reasons why to became fascinated with them. I have clients that enjoy the mystique of having something that was once illegal. There are people that feel it’s like going back in time playing a slot machine that is all original from the 1920’s. There are also people that see them as fun, functional antiques that they can enjoy as a hobby or investment.
My future blog entries will cover some of the unique devices that I have handled for clients in the past and currently. In addition to slot machines I will also delve into the depths of other mechanical devices I deal in as well, such as old diving helmets, non gambling coin operated devices, gas pumps, advertising, etc.

The Slot Fan’s Guide to Olden Day One Arm Bandits

A quick search on eBay reveals some interesting results for antique slot machines. Few people would believe that archaic devices with minimal spinning reels and a handful of symbols could be worth a small fortune. Collectors know better. Slot machines from the 1930s and 1940s can fetch a pretty penny, depending on their condition, brand name, and rarity. For example, an Antique 1930s Mills War Eagle 5 cent Nickel Slot Machine can fetch as much as $2,595 on the market. These contraptions are typically a little worse for wear, and they may not have all their original working parts. In the United States, there are rules in place which regulate the sale of antique slot machines, and certain states may not qualify.

If you’re looking to spend a small fortune, you may be on the prowl for an antique 1899 Mills 5c Dewey slot machine. This device retails for $16,800, and it is in its mint, original condition. These devices were expertly crafted, full of intricately detailed artwork and mechanical parts. If the sticker price is a little steep, you may wish to consider the Mills Novelty Company Owl Slot Machine antique at a price of $15,750. These slot games are worlds apart from the video slots we see nowadays at land-based casinos and online casinos. These are fully functional freestanding machines with ball and claw feet, solid oak carved frames, and beautifully-furnished metal housing. It’s always important to check for damage, especially with the wood items.

Specs of Antique Slot Machines

Antique Slot Machine Values

The Antique range of slot machines are extremely expensive, and can retail at $19,000+ apiece. The original machines were created around 1906, and have a devout following among slot machine collectors and gaming experts. Many slot fans choose to refurbish their antique slot machines, to keep them in pristine condition. The antique slot machines business is a roaring trade, with a niche market of highly motivated buyers and sellers. Only the most skilled technical experts in slot machine restoration professionals can work in this arena, since customers are highly specific and detail oriented when it comes to these high-priced antiques. The typical weight of an antique slot machine ranges from 75 pounds through 100 pounds. Their dimensions are typically 16” x 16” x 28” in height.

There are many examples of popular antique slots, including the following:

• 1941 Mills Diamond Front
• Mills Hi-Top
• Mills Bursting Cherry
• 1938 Mills Roman Head 5 Cent
• 1946 Jennings Super Deluxe Club Chief
• 1935 Watling Coin Front 25 Cent
• 1947 Mills Black Cherry 5 Cent
• 1933 Watling Treasury 5 Cent
• 1948 Mills Blue Bell 10 Cent
• 1950 Pace Four Reel Harrah’s Club 10 Cent

The price of an antique slot machine may range from a few dollars to as much as $50,000 +, depending on its condition, rarity and how much the buyer is willing to pay for it. Many antique collectors seek these devices as decorative pieces, or as investments for posterity. The most common brand is Mills, both with its Golden Nugget slot machine and its Orange Front QT slot machine variants.

Antique Nickel Slot Machine Value

Slot Game Variety Over the Years

Antique Coin Slot Machine Parts

Believe it or not, various slots enthusiasts consider any slot machine created after 1930 as a contemporary slot machine, and not an antique. These contemporary machines are largely comprised of replacement parts, and many of them have been fully restored and tested. The cost of these machines is less than those with a limited number of replacement parts. If you’re looking to buy an antique slot machine, it is best to select a machine that is relatively untouched, and in its original mint condition. Once restoration work has begun, the perceived value of the machine diminishes. If you find an e-commerce platform selling a 1930s/40s slot machine under $3,000, it is likely a contemporary machine with replacement parts.

Antique Prohibition Mechanical Table Top Nickel Slot Machine Antique

The strict definition of an antique is a collectible object that has a high value because of its considerable age. In the United States, the Customs Service regards antiques as items that are at least 100 years old. With slot machine games, antiques are considered old-school slot games – typically the 3-reel classic slots. Nowadays, players can enjoy sophisticated HD slots with 5 spinning reels and hundreds of paylines. Video animation, 3D technology, and a virtual presence are worlds apart from the physical nature of antique slot machine games. Online slot games offer a modern-day perspective on this age-old pastime. You can still experience the classic slot titles online, except that now you have far more variety in every way.