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Mills Vest pocket plus

Posted:
Sat Aug 08, 2015 2:57 pm
by damikeguy
Can someone tell me what plus stands for on the Mills vest pocket plus. I've gone through all my books and literature and can't find a thing.

Re: Mills Vest pocket plus

Posted:
Sat Aug 08, 2015 3:59 pm
by TheFatman
My understanding is that it just allows the operator to add an extra payout to the Jackpot. Because the JP is only 20 coins ... it doesn't have the attraction as a bigger payout does. It does not hit often so they can add on an additional (PLUS) payout for hitting the JP to increase play interest.
Thats what I have the understand of. Now if I am wrong ... which wont be the first time, I would love to learn more on this.
Dave F
Re: Mills Vest pocket plus

Posted:
Sat Aug 08, 2015 6:16 pm
by Anglobritish
It is my understanding that the chrome model was was the Vest Pocket Plus model, I know when I op r aged the Mini Sega models, there was a meter that recorded each JP, the machine payed 20 coins, and the location paid an extra amount that we agreed on.
Freddy Bailey
Re: Mills Vest pocket plus

Posted:
Sun Aug 09, 2015 11:33 am
by damikeguy
Thanks again Dave and Freddy. I'm still trying to figure out why the machine always pays out 1 extra coin for every payout. I'll keep playing with it.
Re: Mills Vest pocket plus

Posted:
Sun Aug 09, 2015 2:40 pm
by nvmos2
The Fatman is correct.
The Vest Pocket Chrome, however, came in both Plus models and non-Plus versions
(and the Vest Pocket Plus is found in both painted and Chrome versions).
If you have Coin Slot Guide 13, see page 11 (not numbered, next to photo of mechanism).
It lists 12 different models of the Vest Pocket.
The five cent Plus versions are Mills model numbers 422, 422-C (fruit reels), 425, and 425-C (cigarette reels) (the "C" indicates chrome case).
The Plus version case has a 20 Plus Jackpot reward plate (3 bars show a reward of "20 Plus"; the word "plus" is under the number 20);
this allowed the location to, as Fatman said, pay an additional amount above the 20 coins paid by the machine.
I have seen the reward plate with a graphic design of the word "Plus" on the outside (reels covered) of the plate;
my unmolested original VP Plus has nothing but paint on the outside of the reward plate.
The Plus version mechanism came with a jackpot register attached, obviously to keep track/control of jackpots paid out by the location.
The register on my machine only has a single digit readout, 0 to 9, so it either doesn't hit often or would have to be checked regularly.
Somewhere I have a copy of a Mills advertisement for the VP Plus that I hoped to post here, but it's lost in all the clutter.
I think the extra coin payout is simply a problem with your mechanism (rather than having anything to do with the Plus feature).
Re: Mills Vest pocket plus

Posted:
Mon Aug 10, 2015 2:13 pm
by TJ
Years ago I came across a penny vest pocket, and the award flap had the three bars and the word jackpot but no number. It wasn't until going through Peter Bach's Contemporary Advertising that I realized what I had. My quest began and eventually I was rewarded at a COCA convention in Phoenix AZ during one of the events sponsored by the club a lively auction it came up for auction, and I was able to acquire the Valley Specialty jackpot for the Vest Pocket.
Re: Mills Vest pocket plus

Posted:
Mon Aug 10, 2015 4:27 pm
by damikeguy
No I don't have Coin Slot Guide 13 so thank for the info. Now I know. I have and unmolested model 422-C with the graphic design of the work Plus on the outside of the reel cover plate with a jackpot counter. Love it. Neat little machine. Just need to figure out how to adjust the payout. I will put it on my too do list.
Mike
Re: Mills Vest pocket plus

Posted:
Mon Aug 10, 2015 4:43 pm
by damikeguy
You got me thinking. I pulled the mech. and this machine has a 4 digit counter. 5ยข machine. Lots of good info. Thanks to all.
Re: Mills Vest pocket plus

Posted:
Tue Aug 11, 2015 12:16 pm
by Anglobritish
Hi Guys,
Find attached the original brochures for the Mills Vest Pocket 1939 5c Model and 1941 1c model also known as the Plus model. See if you can spot the mistakes made by the Mills advertising department.
Freddy Bailey
Re: Mills Vest pocket plus

Posted:
Tue Aug 11, 2015 5:00 pm
by damikeguy
No door on the pay out ?