Mills Melon Bell

[68eagle]

Have a mills melon bell slot machine from around 47’-48’?? Wondering if there is any way to find the exact year of production. Looking on internet but no luck. Someone claimed there was list floating around somewhere. Would appreciate any help since I’m new to this forum. Thanks

[rtmccurdy]

With your serial number (inside left on cabinet or stamped in the base back) you might be able to approximate the date if you go to the slot machine serial # database at coinopregistry.com. Some high top serials have a date listed for reference.

[68eagle]

Thank you, I do have serial number, so I will check out the site. Greatly appreciated

[68eagle]

In researching my mills melon bell slot machine. Discovered there may be a list of serial numbers and production year published by the late Dick Bueschel in the 90’s. Appreciate any information on locating this type of list. Serial number is #543637 but I can’t verify production year.

[rtmccurdy]

If you go to coinopregistry.com it will have a section that says "search serial number database." Click on that and it will then ask for manufacturer. Scroll down to Mills and click again. You will not that not many of the 1000s of entry have exact dates. Production of the Melon Bell style of High Tops usually is documented as 1948 but ad copy for all of the new High Tops started a bit earlier. Sometimes the paper labels inside the cabinet had inspection dates, etc.

[68eagle]

Thanks for your follow up again. I didn’t find my serial number in the registry when I searched. Purchased the machine a while ago and everyone has fun playing it. Always thought that it was produced in 48’. Removed the cash box a few weeks ago and discovered a paper key tag inside with serial number hand written and date of 1947 on it. The gentleman I got it from indicated the tag has been inside for years. It just got me courteous about the date. Haven’t removed the mechanism yet figured I would look when and if it dropped a token and I needed to replace it. I see from your message that these may have been earlier than 48’. It has the watermelon front and is in great condition. It’s been quite a conversation piece and great fun with grandkids of course. Have also enjoyed discovering some history about the machine.

[MONTI]

Your serial number you show places production somewhere in the middle of 1946 from my list which does not show every serial number but however does place it in that range!
Ciao!
MONTI

[rtmccurdy]

The registry is made up of submissions contributed by collectors like yourself so with the info you have you could register your serial number and add 1947 as a possible date of manufacture. By far my favorite in the high top line along with the bonus model!

[68eagle]

Since I’m new to this forum, not sure of proper procedures. At any rate, thanks to rtmccurdy and monti for the information. Monti, it appears from your response that you have compiled some list of numbers associated with mills machines. Looks like my serial number falls between late 46’ and 48’. Can you tell me anything about how mills numbered their machines. Were they sequential or just randomly by year? Do the numbers designate anything like model etc? I’d like to narrow down the year before I offer it to a registry. The ones listed were not close in number and no years were listed with their numbers. Would be interested in any list you could provide. Thanks.

[MONTI]

As I had mentioned yours was manufactured and left the factory in Mid to November 1946 by it's serial number you gave, if infact they left the factory directly after the serial number was placed on the slot machine, which should be on the machine somewhere, tag on the inner cabinet, stamped on the rear lip of the cabinet or into the casting possibly!
Their numbers where sequential and did not denote model's or at least not on the list I have which was given to me years ago!
I believe, and someone correct me if I'm wrong but didn't one of Dick Beaushel's books have serial numbers in it?
Bona Fortuna!
MONTI