Rol-A-Tor Slot Machine

[Brossy]

I have an old Rol-A-Tor slot machine that was given to me when I was a kid. I am trying to find out information on it. What type it is. How old it is. That kind of stuff. I have looked around the forums and here is what information I have been able to find on the machine that might help.

Its a 5 cent machine.
It has 2 vendor doors in the front that are solid metal.
It has a 4 digit serial number.(3334)
Its a Twin Jackpot (2 glass windows with wire mesh)

Any help would be much appreciated

[Dave]

That machine was made by Watling in the 1930's

The Rol-A-Tor was the precursor to the Rol-A-Top. I think the Rol-A-Tor was only made for about 6 months before Watling was forced to change the name.

The Rol-A-Tor is a fairly desirable machine because their numbers are much less than the Rol-A-Top

If you post a photo we can give you more information.

The serial number you listed is not a valid serial number for a Rol-A-Tor

[Brossy]

Thanks for the quick reply Dave.

I am sure the serial number is correct. Its on both sides of the machine at the bottom. You can hopefully see it in the pictures I put up on photobucket.

http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/BrossySH/library

I did contact a company about getting this restored but just wasn't in the budget at the time. I should have asked them for more information on the machine but I didn't.

[watlingboy]

Your Rol-A-Tor would have had a 5 digit serial number stamped on it when it left the factory starting with a 6. That number can be found in 3 places. On the paper label inside the cabinet but that has sometimes been removed. On the end of the wood block to the right of the cash box. And as you face the machine, on the right side of the top casting. That serial number would have ROL preceeding it. It was also common for the serial to appear in a 4th place and that was on the right side of the back bonnet. If you have a 4 digit number stamped in the case, that was done by an operator because Watling didn't use 4 digit numbers on Rol-A-Tops or Rol-A-Tors and thery didn't start stamping serial numbers in the cases until a few years later and when they did, it was on the front right hand edge. Hope this helps you find the correct number.

Watlingboy

[Brossy]

You are absolutely correct Watlingboy and I did find the number where you said it would be. Thanks very much!

The first spot is in the top of the casing in a rectangle formed box right next to the patent information. The number there is ROL60980
The second spot I found it is next to the cash box stamped into the wood. The number there is 60980 (no ROL infront of it)

And that 4 digit number (3334) is stamped in many other places as well. Its stamped right on the center face of the dial where the nickels are shown going around. Its also stamped in the casting on the top of the machine. Would this be an operators way of keeping all the same parts of a machine together?

Does that serial number tell us how old this is?
Is there any way to tell if the machine is all original?
Would I be better of leaving the machine in the condition its in or have it restored?

Thanks for all the information and help.

[andydotp]

G'day Brossy,
Delightful machine, am not envious at all, honest!!
The serial number will place its age very accurately but I don't have a serial number guide to hand. Watlingboy or one of the other experts I'm sure can date it for you.
As for restoration, personally I'd make sure the mech and jackpots are all tuned up and playing & paying correctly first.
Then a good clean & polish of the cabinet and probably new reel window glass.
I'd be very wary of 'over-restoring' - which can actually ruin an antique such as this.
Again, terrific machine.
Regards,
andydotp

[Dave]

Slots 3 dates it at either 1934 or 1935. I would guess 1934

[Dave]

Rol-A-Tops and Rol-A-Tors are fairly difficult machines to restore properly. If you are not experienced I would say just replace the crystalized glass and adjust the machine so it plays decent and call it good. If you want to clean the outside be very careful not to ruin the finish or remove any paint.

If you hire someone that is competent to restore it then it will not be cheap and the value of the machine will probably not increase enough to cover the restoration and if the restoration is done poorly the value will actually go down.

Remember there are only so many non restored machines on the planet. Every time one gets restored there is one less on the planet.

[Brossy]

Thanks for all the replys everyone.

This is a family heirloom to me and I definitely don't want to damage it or restore it if that is going to make it lose some of its character. I am not really interested in selling it at this point because I love it. My kids on the other hand think it should go to the dump or in the back of a closet somewhere instead of out on display like I have it. Kids nowadays just don't get it. I would definitely like to clean it up tho and make it work nice and smooth.

So in the end its a 1934 or 1935 5 Cent Rol-A-Tor.

As you saw by the pictures its missing a (vendor?) door on the front right hand side. What are the odds of me ever finding one to replace it? I would really love to make it complete again if I can.

[watlingboy]

Your machine was made in 1935. A few machines were made and delivered to special friends of Watling but the Rol-A-Tor was introduced to the public in mid February at the Chicago Coin Machine Show 1935. Production started and ended in 1935 for the Rol-A-Tor. Other Rol-A-Tors have surfaced with 4 digit numbers stamped on all castings and case, including even the glass retaining ring. I have only seen this only on Rol-A-Tors and have no explanation as to why. Anyone seen this on a Rol-A-Top?

As far as restoring, a machine can be restored anytime but only once. Whether you are talking about a '65 Corvette or a slot, the ones that bring the most money are the nice unrestored examples. You should only restore a machine, my opinion, if the exterior has deteriorated to the point that the condition is poor or if somewhere in its life someone has repainted it and it is no longer original. Conservation and preservation should always be your goal. Carefull cleaning and detailing, taking it back as close to original as possible without making it better than it was. I'm still amazed at the number of collectors who say they like their machines really shiny and restore everything they get.

Those vender doors do show up on Ebay occasionally, so that is not impossible to find.

Enjoy your machine.

Watlingboy