little duke history

[jpw]

Couple of questions here, first, I just picked up a Little Duke and in doing some research, I have found that this machine came in a few different configurations. I was wondering if anyone could point to some history on these machines, mine has the side facing coin entry and a double jackpot, but I have seen others with the front coin entry and a single jackpot, any information on when and why these changes were made would be appreciated. Second question, I have a Jennings console which has the ash tray and drink holder, I was wondering if anyone knew what type of insert was in the ash tray, I've been told the bottom half of the ash tray is missing so the attendants could easily clean the ash trays, so I'm assuming there was some type of insert which could be easily removed and dumped. Again any information anyone could provide would be appreciated.
Thanking you in advance
Jack

[SLOT DYNASTY]

jpw:
There were many design changes to the "Little Duke" over the years.
The early models had the small side-facing coin entry, with a single jackpot, and a straight handle, (without end-knob).
Next, was the same, but having the handle knob. Then the same, but now having the large front-facing coin head, Then
they went to the twin jackpot w/reserve. There were some mix & match models with different front casting designs.
There was also an early model that did not have any jackpot. Most vender models were gumball, but they did make a
model with a mint vender. The coin-head on the 50c machine is entirely different. And the list goes on!
Knowing the serial number on your machine would indicate how early it is, and hopefully it hasn't had major changes,
by some operator or other person, switching parts.
Bill

[jpw]

Bill,
Thanks for getting back to me, as I said my machine has the side coin entry with the double jackpot with reserve, I also have the handle with the knob.
My serial # is 12226 without knowing anything about little duke serial's maybe this could indicate early? But that's just a guess. Also I will keep an eye on ebay for a side vendor, since this machine has not arrived here yet I can't answer about the linkage.if your interested I'll keep you advised once the machine arrives. I was kind of surprised that you mentioned the little duke was available in a 50 cent variety, I thought a penny , nickle and dime was all it came in, I would guess a 50 cent machine is rare and valuable.
Thanks again
Jack
jacksclocks@msn.con
Ashton Md

[RameGoom]

I bought a Little Duke recently, front penny coin slot, single JP. It was kind of odd, as the original Jennings emblems were taken off very carefully and replaced with Rockola emblems at one point in its life. Seems Rockola would re-sell all kinds of different slots and place its name on the machines. My serial number is 7455, but apparently Rockola put a "6" in front of the serial number. So I have a "modified" serial number stamped into the housing.

Inside, there was evidence that this particular machine once had a side vender, but I bought the machine, un-restored, from the family of the original owner, and it never did have a vender. While at the Chicago coin-op show this past November, I found a nice, unmolested vender, so I added it to my machine. Those are difficult to find, as I'm told.

Anyway, it's now looking good and functioning perfectly. And looks right, with a side vender.

[SLOT DYNASTY]

Jack:
Something does not seem right with your serial number being in the 12000 range, as I don't think they made
that many before switching to the big-head. Point being: Machine manufacturers were not in the habit of
starting a new serial number range, with each model variation. Such as coin head, jackpot, vender, casting
design, and coinage changes. That would make for too many single models, having the same serial, just
because of a variation change. I get confused enough as it is, with the restorers changing castings & features
on machines, that they never left the factory as. I can imagine how many slots have been altered, since the
late Dick Bueschel started logging serial numbers in the mid 1970's, which now throws many examples off, and
is somewhat of a waste of time, historically. I am dealing with that same situation now, with the trade stimulators,
which Dick passed off to me, so that he could just focus on the slots. Many Daval models have been changed from
their original state, to something they never were. The majority of which has been performed by the Vegas Butcher.
There are several that I already had the serial from, that are now something else, with Fake recast parts. Not all
trade stimulator mfrs. put serials on their machines, but even the ones that didn't, should never be changed.

When you do take possession of your "Little Duke", look it over thoroughly, to see if you notice anything that has
been altered or changed, mainly because of the serial being too high. My 1c model, with the big head, and single
jackpot, is in the 4000 range, and I know of other models like mine with lower numbers. Jennings could have very
well had a separate serial run for just the small coin entry models, but I really don't think so. I never kept logging
slot serials that I was sending Dick, after his passing. So, only have the lists that he included in a couple of his books,
plus a few others. Besides, most people that sent him the serials, didn't always send complete info. Most were just
listed by coinage, and sometimes single or double jackpot. Even though it's a bit late, I am going to start making a
note of "Little Duke" serials, and the model variation, to see if I can figure out what Jennings may have done. The
only history that I have logged for them, is a photo file, of all the variations that I have come across. Only problem
with that is, I don't have most of the serials to go with the pix.

How about I start something going with our Forum readers, by sending me your serials, and the machine variation
that you have, to my personal e-mail - (slotdynasty@sbcglobal.net), so as not to jam up the Forum with responses.
Then again, maybe not, if I only get a half dozen or less replies! Ha!

The info I will need, is:
1) Serial number
2) Small or Big coin head
3) Handle - (with or without knob)
4) Jackpot - (single or double w/reserve) As I mentioned above, they did have a model with No Jackpot.
5) Side vender - This one is tricky, as I would want to know if it originally had the side vender, even if it was missing,
but had the holes in the case, and the original linkage, as many were removed by operators. If you added a repro
side vender, drilled holes, and made linkage, I will still need to know what the original configuration was.
A front view photo will also help, in case you have a model that had a casting design change.
Thanks, Bill

[SLOT DYNASTY]

I bought a Little Duke recently, front penny coin slot, single JP. It was kind of odd, as the original Jennings emblems were taken off very carefully and replaced with Rockola emblems at one point in its life. Seems Rockola would re-sell all kinds of different slots and place its name on the machines. My serial number is 7455, but apparently Rockola put a "6" in front of the serial number. So I have a "modified" serial number stamped into the housing.

Inside, there was evidence that this particular machine once had a side vender, but I bought the machine, un-restored, from the family of the original owner, and it never did have a vender. While at the Chicago coin-op show this past November, I found a nice, unmolested vender, so I added it to my machine. Those are difficult to find, as I'm told.

Anyway, it's now looking good and functioning perfectly. And looks right, with a side vender.

OK, I will consider you serial of 7455, the second one in my new venture. But, I will still need all the other details.
Thanks, Bill

[RameGoom]

Yep, 7455 is the original number, with a numeral 6 to the left, but a bit too far away to be considered an original number. That digit looks out of place. The best I can come up with is that Rockola put it there when they re-tagged the machine. The side vender mounting holes were in the correct location on the left side, and the trip lever hole was also there, plugged by a strange knob-like plug.

On the inside, there were discoloration marks where the vender trip mechanism fulcrum should be, indicating to me that this machine definitely had a side vender at one time. And, the Jennings decals that were there originally left some slight tell-tale marks when they were removed. Above those, the Rockola decals are there.



I picked up a set of front and side castings from a parted-out machine, which I plan to use for "wall art" after polishing and re-painting them. The front casting has its own serial number, but I have no idea about the history surrounding them, so they're going to be conversation pieces.

[nvmos2]

There is a picture of Little Duke number 12226 on Bright's Restorations web site; under "Machines to be restored."
He describes it as a "very nice original" 1932 Little Duke; picture shows 3JP, small coin head, knob handle.
Don't know if Bright monitors this forum, but he may remember if there was any sign of a side vender or if he removed any linkage.

Recommend Little Duke owners also post their info to the Coin Op Registry associated with this forum for widest dissemination/analysis;
there is already a lot of info there on side venders, coin heads, and JPs, but no mentions of handle style.
Perhaps those who have already posted their info could add handle style and ensure the other info is complete/accurate.

[SLOT DYNASTY]

There is a picture of Little Duke number 12226 on Bright's Restorations web site; under "Machines to be restored."
He describes it as a "very nice original" 1932 Little Duke; picture shows 3JP, small coin head, knob handle.
Don't know if Bright monitors this forum, but he may remember if there was any sign of a side vender or if he removed any linkage.

Recommend Little Duke owners also post their info to the Coin Op Registry associated with this forum for widest dissemination/analysis;
there is already a lot of info there on side venders, coin heads, and JPs, but no mentions of handle style.
Perhaps those who have already posted their info could add handle style and ensure the other info is complete/accurate.

Thanks for the heads-up on the "Duke", and serial, at Bright's shop.
As for info on handle style, that would only be needed on the machines with the very low serials, as they did not use
that style very long, but I have no idea how many. That would only be determined when I get the two serials side-by-side,
when they made the change. But that still doesn't mean that they may have slapped a few on some later models. Hmmm!
Bill

[nvmos2]

In regard to Little Duke handle style;
see flebay item number 221659518575.

It has an unusual handle;
wonder if it is a transition from the regular Jennings style to the Knob handle.

Seller has told me it is serial number 1397.