Coin Slot Magazine - #089 - 1982 - July[International Arcade Museum]
reade Magic
By Steve Gronowski
measured 63 inches high, 19 inches wide and 18
inches deep. This model also had a spacious merchan
dise cabinet with mirror, but had a roomy shelf for
larger displays in the cabinet itself.
Both machines boasted a candy saving receptacle
which prevented candy from spilling from the vending
chute and sanitary delivery device. A burglar proof trap
door, made of extra heavy metal, closed the larger
merchandise chute to would be pilferers They featured
a coin slot with the latest slug proof design, improved
mercury electric switch for positive action in the
operation of the claw, and an automatic counter to tally
the number of plays.
The mechanism is a miniature model of an excavating
IRON CLAW MODEL 6
IRON CLAW JUNIOR
Advertised in their day as "... a sensational earner
and easily... the leader of all coin operated amusement
devices," the IRON CLAW proved to be a popular draw
in arcades and carnivals with alJ folks, young and old.
Exhibit Supply Company of Chicago, Illinois, produced
the Exhibit IRON CLAW JUNIOR and IRON CLAW
MODEL G. These were basically digger type machines
first manufactured in the '20a The price, when sold
new, ranged from $150 to $275 for the Model GI RON
CLAW. Produced primarily in 5$ denominations, they
were later converted by some operators to dime
machines
Exhibit Supply Co. touted the cabinet of the Model G
as designed by one of the country's foremost artists to
be beautiful enough to gain acceptance in the finest
locations. It was 70 inches tall, 24 inches wide and 22
inches deep and a "Show-Case Base," which displayed
larger merchandise, was offered as a custom addition.
The machine's metal parts were chromium plated and
highly polished to be more visible. A plate glass mirror
the full length of the back of the upper cabinet
reflected the merchandise available for a nickel. The
cash box opened from the front on this model, allowing
the meter to be visible and the machine to occupy a
smaller space.
The IRON CLAW JUNIOR was also "exclusively
designed" in a silver oak finish with chromium plated
ornaments. Separate doors opened both the upper
and lower cabinets individually, which together
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1982 Arcade Museum
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construction machine that worked on the same prin
ciple. The claw was multi-adjustable; allowing a forward
and backward, as well as right to left, movement
determined by a Locator Wheel positioned by the
player. The claw was operated by a small, 110 volt
motor, and the motor burning out was about the only
problem with the device, other than coin jama These
machines were easy to maintain, and almost all working
parts were made from interchangeable die castings.
The claw would be positioned to grab for favors
placed in the device by the operator. A lot of cheap
prizes, known in the industry as"slum," were displayed
amongst a few enticing items, such as wrist watches,
pocket watches, lighters, pocket knives, and cameras.
Operators found they could make more money when
they offered a few better prizes, especially ones kids
were not supposed to have. Many a young boy lost a
handful of nickels trying to grab at a fancy pocket knife.
Sometimes the better prizes were banded together, or
additionally weighted, so the claw would not be able to
pick them up for the unsuspecting patron.
The player would first pick the prize he wanted from
the merchandise displayed in the cabinet. He would
then turn the Locator Wheel on the front of the cabinet
to show about where the claw would drop, right, center
or left, as indicated by the arrow on the indicator. The
player would then put the nickel in the slot that started
the machine. The claw automatically turned to the
chosen position, dropped down and grabbed at a prize,
if you were lucky, and a few pieces of candy. Then the
claw raised, swung back over the opening, and dropped
the contents into the chute to be delivered to the
player. The entire operation took about 10 seconds
and IRON CLAWS were touted to be able to make 300
an hour.
Found mostly in arcades, the elegant styling of these
machines also made them popular in hotel lobbies,
restaurants, any place an amusement device would be
played by the public They were advertised by Exhibit
Supply Company as "Built up to a standard, not down
to a price!" Primarily considered a gambling machine,
the elegant cabinets fit in very well with an already
established collection of slot machines
THE COIN SLOT - 47
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