CoinOpCollectorForum.com

Just picked up 3 Daval Am Eagle counter games. Sitting on an old operators shelf for 40 years. Dirty but decent. Each is a little different. Two are locked, no key.

Question: on the non coin version, what do the numbers mean in the side window and what does the side lock control? See attached picture.

My friend ... If i am remembering right, they are the credits or points won. Been a long time but that is what I remember from mine over 30 years ago. But ... I have been wrong before.
Dave

Window shows total plays.
Key resets window counter to 0.

From a 1946 advertisement by Daval for the Non-coin American Eagle/Marvel;
"Total plays easily seen on visible register. Re-inserting key takes plays off visible register,
and adds them on a concealed register for operator's check-up!
As on a punchboard, player pays up when he quits! Because player is not limited by availability of right kind of coins, and it's easy to pull the handle again and again, these terrific games actually take in more than coin-operated machines."

Is this like the Daval Free Play?

Thanks for the replies.

Not sure about Daval Free Play but suspect same operation.

TheFatman wrote:Is this like the Daval Free Play?

No; the Free Play is (of course) coin operated and the counter (on the front) indicated winnings; (this is probably the concept/machine you were thinking of earlier).

On the Free Play, the handle is tripped for free plays once a winner is hit on the reels. Winnings ran from 3 to 30, plus whatever the player won on the free plays. The counter told the player how many free plays they had coming, reducing by one each time the handle is pulled. The player could quit while he was ahead and have the location make good in cash or trade for free plays remaining on the counter.
Up to 70 free plays could be accumulated, if you could read them thru the tiny window.

sledworks;

Below is a copy of instruction sheet that Daval furnished with the Non-coin American Eagle/Marvel.
Hope it is readable.
Note that the side key is also used to lock the machine when not in use; when locked, nothing happens when the handle is pulled.
The operator would unlock the machine for a player; the counter would start at 0 and add 1 each time the player pulled the handle.
The instruction sheet says "It will count a total of 60 plays and then automatically shut itself off."
Interestingly, the counter on my Non-coin Comet goes up to 70.

It is really cool that you were able to pick up 3 different versions of the American Eagle in one purchase; and, better yet, they all look (complete?) in original condition.

Thanks for info nvmos2! Very interesting.

sledworks:
Would it be possible to send me the serial numbers on these 3 "American Eagle" machines, for my
Serial Update Files, that I have been logging since the late 70's? The number will be stamped on the
underside of the case. It will be interesting to see just how close the numbers are from one another,
being as they were found together, in a single operators location. I will also need to know which #
goes with which variation, i.e. (1c standard, 1c w/gumball, and non-coin). You can send them to me
at (slotdynasty@sbcglobal.net).
Thanks, Bill

Email coming, Bill.