Mills Bell Slot Machine

[jadekianalee]

Hello, I am new to this forum and I apologize if this is in the incorrect spot.

This is not a solicitation for offers. I am only hoping to get some advice so I can decide whether to restore a slot machine.

My grandfather recently passed away. As a I child (30 years ago) I remember playing with a slot machine in his house. It has now been given to me.

The slot machine is a Mills Bell Slot Machine. It is old and heavy. It definitely has wear and tear. The machine is a Nickel machine and does not work. I have the manual that came with the machine, as well as the coin storage part. The machine had some old nickels in it, including one that jammed. I removed all of the coins.

I'm trying to figure out if it is worth it to restore this machine. I am trying to attach some photographs to this posting. Sorry I had to cut and past into Microsoft Word. Unfortunately, I am not able to attach the file to this posting.

In reading online (which is how I found this forum) one of the things it says to look for is a serial number. I am not able to find one on the machine or inside. Perhaps I am looking in the wrong spot.

Thanks so much for any and all advice. I can also email anyone the Word Document. My email is lee2jade@gmail.com.

[jadekianalee]

Here are some pictures

[YourBestBet]

Nice mills hi top. Check the rear wood base of the machine. Should have a serial number stamped in the wood.

[jadekianalee]

Thanks for the reply. I just checked. No luck on the wood part. It is pretty banged up but I am not able to see an number engraved.

[TheFatman]

I am very happy to help you and also look at it ... if your in my area. Feel free to send me a PM and I will give you my phone # and we can talk.Most of the time, i can give people enough info for them to at lease get their machine working and the fine tuning comes after that. I am a strong believer in helping out. So many have been there for me, with just info, to guide me in learning the machines better. "Thanks Tom K.... We all miss you"
Dave F

[nvmos2]

Doug;

Welcome to the forum;
there are many experts here who can help you get your machine operating properly.

You have a classic Mills High Top machine (first produced in 1947) that was made in large numbers and in different versions.
Your version is the "21" model, also commonly called the "777", which came out in 1952.
If the player hit 7-7-7 on the reels, the machine dispensed a token which could be redeemed for the special award shown ($10).
High Tops were made by Mills and successor companies thru the 1950s and are the iconic machines of their day.
A lot of them were made and a lot have survived to this day; I have the same model in my collection.

My opinion:
It's a nice collectible machine and it appears no where close to being in need of restoration;just repair to get it in good working order.
Somebody has monkeyed with the reel strips; the star and shamrock symbols are incorrect.
The serial number may be hard to find; look closely at the wood base;
try using a magnifying glass and a flash light at an angle;
it is either directly down from the back door lock or along the side.

[MONTI]

I am very happy to help you and also look at it ... if your in my area. Feel free to send me a PM and I will give you my phone # and we can talk.Most of the time, i can give people enough info for them to at lease get their machine working and the fine tuning comes after that. I am a strong believer in helping out. So many have been there for me, with just info, to guide me in learning the machines better. "Thanks Tom K.... We all miss you"
Dave F

I'm with you there Dave, Tom was a great guy, I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations about the old days of slot machine collecting and restoration!
I talked to him at length 3 weeks before he passed about the old collectors and restorers that had already passed, unfortunately a lot of the old guys in our hobby are now gone and I second what you said to the new member here, if he is on the West cost, he may contact me also as I have helped many people on the phone with resolving their slot machine issues.
And one more time "Thanks Tom, we all miss you!"

[jadekianalee]

Hi everyone. I am in San Diego California if that helps. I wanted to restore the machine so one day I can give it to my kids or grandkids. Plus I'd like to play it.

Also you are all correct about the 10 dollar jackpot. If anyone knows where I can get one of those tokens that would be awesome too. That along with any good restorers.

Thanks so much. .

Doug

[MONTI]

Hi everyone. I am in San Diego California if that helps. I wanted to restore the machine so one day I can give it to my kids or grandkids. Plus I'd like to play it.

Also you are all correct about the 10 dollar jackpot. If anyone knows where I can get one of those tokens that would be awesome too. That along with any good restorers.

Thanks so much. .

Doug

Doug,
Welcome to the antique slot machine hobby!
I am in Northern California so a little ways away from you but mrslot1 on the forum has the tokens for that machine and also the reel strips if you wish to change them out as well and feel free to contact me for any questions you may have.
Bona Fortuna,
Monti

[jadekianalee]

Hi Monti

Is there anyone in Southern California you would recommend? Also where in Northern California are you?