Roll Skill Fake?

[nvmos]

Anyone here familiar with the Roll Skill trade stimulator at ebay item number 320736940670?
I know there were several variations of the Roll Skill and Try Skill, but this one looks fishy.
Either it is mint NOS ("never on location") or a fake recent fabrication.

[radiorich123]

The machine looks original about 1950s but I think its for the old large english penny. Look at the penny opening size at the top.
The seller said it would work with any size coin that fits in the slot.

Rich

[cpdretired]

The seller is Ed Smith. At the bottom of the narrative he does state that it is new. Ed also sold the Whizball & Baseball machines. He always stated that the games are recreations of the original machines.
Ed did have a Roll Skill at the spring Chicagoland show. He was clear that it was new reproduction.

[nvmos]

If this game is a new reproduction, the auction is misleading. It describes this machine as something to be used on location to make money; the last line does say it is "new and never been on location."; this implies it is NOS from an actual coin machine manufacturer.
A new reproduction is a novelty item for someone who wants a conversation piece for their gameroom, or to dupe the unwary inexperienced collector. A new reproduction would never make it on location; at the price of beer, this machine would be a big loser, even when set to the tightest adjustment. Trade stimulators were made to make the operator money, not lose it. I doubt this machine would make money even in the 1950s.

I asked the seller who made it and when it was made. His reply;
"Several versions were made. This one was done by Chicago Automatic Coin Machines ......in the 1950s."

It would be hard to pass off a reproduction as original at the Chicago show (you might get tarred and feathered), but relatively easy to do on ebay (in fact, it's probably done frequently).
I don't know who the seller is, but if it is a new reproduction, either the seller has been duped or he is lying and not to be trusted. He did not post my question and his answer onto the auction listing, which is not a good indication that he wants bidders to have his response.

[cpdretired]

There has been many repro. Whizball machines at the Chicago Show. Some sellers have had the nerve to ask as much as $600 for them.

Then there is the person that has been putting tavern reel strips in the Groetchen Ball Gum machines. He also has castings of the Tavern placard made to fit. The last show he took a Garden City Gem ( 3Reeler) & made it a Bar Boy which has four reels. Talking to my friends as the show we all know who he is.

[nvmos]

That is disappointing to hear about the Chicago Show; there should be some way the reputable dealers could ostrasize the sleaze bags. They only hurt the hobby; we want new guys, but one bad experience with these jerks can ruin their attitude. It has been several years since I have been there; just isn't the way I remember it.

I have seen the 3 reel Bar Boys on ebay.
Now there are new frauds to watch out for;
The Daval Jiffy and Heads or Tails are identical except for the award card and reel strips. I think the Heads or Tails is harder to find, more desireable, hence it is worth more. I recently saw that someone has Heads or Tails reproduction award cards and strips for sale on ebay. Now whenever you find a "restored" Heads or Tails, one can only assume it was originally a Jiffy.