This site chronicles my efforts at resurrecting, repairing and restoring an antique slot machine. The machine is a Mills High Top 777 Bell and dates to roughly 1949-1952. Although some of the information presented here will be specific to Mills High Tops, a lot of it will apply to antique slot machines made by Jennings, Watling or other manufacturers, or to different models of Mills machines like the half-tops, goosenecks and others.
The information presented here may prove helpful to collectors who are contemplating a restoration project of their own, but should not be taken as the last word on the subject. Any slot machine restoration project requires a lot of research, time and know-how, and no single reference can hope to provide every bit of knowledge necessary for a beginner to undertake a project of this scope. Likewise, some antique slot machines are very rare and valuable, and a poorly-done restoration can do irreparable harm to the machine and destroy a lot of monetary value.
413 results for slot machine antique mills. MILLS PUMP LEATHER REPLACMENT ANTIQUE SLOT MACHINE FOR A MILLS PUMP #OWL-230. C $3.35; Buy It Now +C $2.01 shipping; From United States; MILLS FOK ANTIQUE SLOT MACHINE. 1947 Mills slot machine leapfrog Hi-Top slot machine. WE BUY, SELL, & RESTORE cool Collectables at: http://www.mantiquesnetwork.com/. The photo also shows a nice original 1948 Mills High Top Jewel Bell – now we are talking! With the two images put together Elvgren whipped out another classic in 61’. He even drew in a fairly accurate representation of a period slot machine stand as well, not bad Gil.
The information contained herein is provided as-is and without warranty of any kind. Use it at your own risk. In other words, if you disassemble or destroy your antique slot machine and can’t get it back together, that’s your own fault… not mine That being said, working on antique slot machines is a lot of fun and not terribly difficult if you are patient, careful and inquisitive.
Still interested? If so, start reading here: In the Beginning
Vest Pocket Patents
Two of these are numbers from the coin slide and the others are Mills Novelty Co. 3-wheel slot patents.
783794 John L. Miller, Coin-Controlled Vending Machine, Feb 28, 1905, 194/282; 221/196 - vend cigars from the original box (showing tax stamp)
1697537Coin-controlled machine, Fred L Mills, Mills Novelty Co, Jan 1, 1929, 221/124, 273/143.00R, 194/300, 312/49, 221/277, 221/131, 221/155 - 3-wheel slot machine
1677647Safety-catch device, Mills Fred L, Mills Novelty Co, Jul 17, 1928, 221/13, 221/152, 453/38, 221/206, 273/143.00R, 221/264, 221/270 - for above 3-wheel slot machine
1767602Coin-controlled vending machine, Fred L Mills, Mills Novelty Co, Jun 24, 1930, 273/143.00R - 3-wheel slot machine
1854479Coin-operated machine, Fred L Mills, Mills Novelty Co, Apr 19, 1932, 273/143.00R, 194/290 - 3-wheel slot machine
Mills Leather Slot Machine Jackpots
1908380Coin slide, Walter A Tratsch, Monarch Tool & Mfg Company, May 9, 1933, 194/291 -
1908752Coin controlled device, Louis M Hall, Monarch Tool & Mfg Company, Walter A Tratsch, May 16, 1933, 94/291 -