Coin Slot Magazine - #V8N6 - 1983 - February [International Arcade Museum]
the Mills Escalator Bells of the 1931-
except for the side gum vendor.
Dear Dick;
1942 period and slapped on a "Dia
Some of the plating in various spots
has chipped off, but otherwise it is
"Hea vy Piece" as described on page
aluminum, or almost anything, and
in unrestored original condition. All
65 of An Illustrated Price Guide to
called it a "new" machine.
the symbols are in excellent condi
the 100 Most Collectible Slot Ma
chines, Volume 3. The Watling TOTEM
is indeed a super classic machine.
The exciting part is that you found
one at all. Up until your discovery
there were only two or three of
these machines known, so you've
mond Front" front cast in iron, scrap
The reason is logical. The "Dia
tion, as are the arrows. I have been
mond Front, " in its many color varia
tions, was the last and most modern
told it was purchased by a Chinese
restaurant owner in Canada in 1916
Mills Bell front until the BLACK
and sold to the person I purchased
Congratulations
on
getting
a
CHERRY came along in 1945. So,
it from in 1968. I purchased it in
putting on a "Diamond" suggested
July, 1982.
newness.
added to the existing examples.
survived aren't
The machine is a Watling TOTEM
Counter Pointer, and I would say it
is more complete and in as good
"Diamond Fronts" at all, but revamps.
condition, if not better, than the one
But not yours. You've got the "Real
shown in your publication. Yours
original purchase date of 1916 is
thoroughly consistent with the facts
The net of this is that
most of the "Diamond Front" ma
chines
that have
The Volume 3 slot book tells quite
a bit about this machine, and the
Thing." Congratulations Mr. Levine,
does not show the coin receiver
of 1912-1916 production. To answer
you've got an honest-to-goodness
tower on top that mine has.
your questions, probably not many
Mills Novelty GOLD CHROME "Dia
Without removing the works, I
have found the following markings:
A 409 stamped on top of the wood
base at the bottom; V.4W.M. Co.
(not many thousands, that is) were
mond Front," produced around the
middle of 1941. We can't call it rare,
but there aren't a lot around.
made.
Your serial number is 325,
and they usually started out with
serial 101. So we know that 225
stamped on the inside back cover;
number 325 stamped on the inside
marks confirm Watling Manufacturing
and when we checked
back lock coven V90 WMCO stamped
Company production, and the ma
Dick Bueschel's An Illustrated Price
on a small removable back behind
the coin receiver slot; number 177
chine was never produced in Canada
The Watling Canadian rep. probably
made the sale to the Chinese res
How do we know? It's that semi-
serial
number.
473,
3,
Your
number
is
Guide to the 100 Most Collectible
Slot Machines, Volume 3 we found
only two serials in the 4 73,000 range.
Both were for Mills GOLD CHROME
machines, with 473,735 in 100 play
and473,818 unknown. So there you
are, in the GOLD CHROME serial
range with 50 play.
Your original front is correct, a
stamped on the left hand top rim or
shoulder of the case.
I would appreciate it if you could
tell me how many were made and
were they made in Canada? Do you
know of a side gum vendor that I
could purchase for this machine?
Dick Riddle
were produced at least The"W.M.Ca"
taurant owner. TOTEM was made in
penny and nickel play both.
You
apparently have the 50 play model.
As fora side vendor, that's a toughie.
Maybe a reader who sees your letter
can help.
The Editor
sort of a speckled sandy-surfaced
gold color. Usually, it wears down to
a dull yellow as yours did.
No wonder you can't find the Coin
Slot Guide for this machine. It hasn't
been published yet, but it's scheduled
as Guide No. 136. We know you
can't wait, so in the meantime, Guide
If you can't buy a Sweetheart Q.T.
this Valentine's Day,
buy your sweetheart the next best thing!
A subscription to The Coin Slot.
No. 15 for the Mills MYSTERY has
about 85% of the works, with small
details and the cabinets making the
difference. Guide No. 136 will cover
all the differences, but for now Guide
No. 15 will solve most of your mech
If your sweeti
collectible
Slot is
Outsid
Inside
interested in coin oper
rator and enthusiast^
les, either as a
Coin
anical problems.
The Editor
A "Heavy Piece"
com
.
m
:
u
m
use
fro and
along with 25 brass tokens
am
m
d
-
e
d help c me
wondering if you
ade with
loa can
r
n
a
.
w
information
to what is
Do — in /w addition
ww
published in :/ your
publication by
p
tt
h Volume
Bueschel,
3, concerning this
Dear Editor;
I recently purchased a slot machine
machine. It is in excellent working
condition, complete in every way
FEBRUARY 1983
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