- Mills Slot Machine Models
- Mills Slot Machine Manual
- Mills Slot Machine Parts
- Mills Slot Machine Springs
- Character slots came into being in the early 1950s when Frank Polk carved 92 life size statues of cowboys and eastern characters to hold slot machines. As the price of an original Polk character slot machine rose beyond the reach of even the most ardent collector, a few other artists started to carve character slots in 1977.
- Slots made before 1951 did not have lighted or plastic fronts, except for the Jennings Sun Chief models. They were metal and wood, not electronic. Most of the slot machines from the 1890's to 1940's were made by only a few manufacturers: Jennings, Mills, Pace, Watling, Caille and Superior.
- Mills 5-cent FUTURITY antique slot machine, 1934 The FUTURITY is clearly the rarest of the Mills three-reelers. Few exist today because of the well known and documented reluctance of slot operators throughout the country to use what was both the first and last Mills Novelty slot machine that was - by design - gaffed. That was how Mills.
Mills Slot Machine Models
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.
If you are interested in something a little less pricey, there is the antique Owl Slot machine from the Mills Novelty Company that sells for roughly $15,750. This free-standing, fully functional slot machine has a carved solid oak frame, ball and claw feet, and gorgeous.
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.
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.
Mills Slot Machine Manual
Mills Slot Machine Parts
Mills Slot Machine Springs
Still interested? If so, start reading here: In the Beginning