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1939 Mills Hi-Top Repo or Real?

PostPosted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 12:50 pm
by root_console
Complete newbie when it comes to this stuff so I figured I would ask the pros.

Have a chance to pick up a 1939 Mills Hi Top in working condition.

Based on the pics, do you guys see any red flags or obvious repo parts?

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Re: 1939 Mills Hi-Top Repo or Real?

PostPosted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 2:35 pm
by Midcoast Vintage
Machine is real.
looks like an older restoration.
Award card, reel strips and cash box look to be replaced, but that is no big deal.
i doubt that 1939 date though.

Re: 1939 Mills Hi-Top Repo or Real?

PostPosted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 6:44 pm
by Anglobritish
Hi Guy's,
This Mills High Top was first introduced in 1946 and went through to 1948, it was also done as the Bonus Model and Melon Bell model with self loading jackpot, most of them had gold reel strips, also the mystery payouts became standard at that time. this machine was a great workhorse and very popular, this model cale in Black top with Red around the reel window, the bottom casting was Gold, on the Melon model the color combination was Green and Red with Gold bottom casting. Your Model is the Black Gold, See the Billboard add from 1948, after these models Mills introduced the Black Beauty models.

See original add from the brochures.

Freddy

Re: 1939 Mills Hi-Top Repo or Real?

PostPosted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 7:48 pm
by oldslotman
I believe that machine should have the handload jackpot. Might have been changed out. I would make sure the jackpot does work and reloads.

Re: 1939 Mills Hi-Top Repo or Real?

PostPosted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 7:53 pm
by mechanic
From what I can see everything looks original except the cashbox thats a repro!

Re: 1939 Mills Hi-Top Repo or Real?

PostPosted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 9:23 pm
by Midcoast Vintage
reel strips and award card are also repro.

Re: 1939 Mills Hi-Top Repo or Real?

PostPosted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 9:45 pm
by YourBestBet
Looks like the mills decal on the side is newer as well. Someone did a nice job restoring the machine though. Not sure about the award card. Picture is too pixelated to tell if it's embossed or not.

Re: 1939 Mills Hi-Top Repo or Real?

PostPosted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 7:02 am
by root_console
Thanks for all the informative replies. Really appreciate it.

I think the guy will take 800-900 dollars for it.

Re: 1939 Mills Hi-Top Repo or Real?

PostPosted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 9:40 am
by oldslotman
Mills decal is not the right one for that machine. Drill plating also missing on the insides