Something From A Nightmarish Steampunk Convention? Nope, Just An Antique Smoke Helmet!

As mentioned in previous blogs, the Nations Attic deals in antique helmets of various sorts in addition to antique coin operated equipment. Most of these helmets are for underwater use, but on occasion we find helmets used for other jobs that strike our fancy.

One such type of helmet is called a Smoke Helmet. These were made in many cases by the same companies that made diving helmets, like Siebe Gorman. These smoke helmets were used by fire fighters, just like an oxygen mask is used today in firefighting.  An air supply was fed into a helmet that was fire resistant (to a degree). The air was usually pumped into the helmet from someone pushing a billow with their foot. This is the very same principal diving helmets used, with a tender above water operating an air pump.

These smoke helmets were made with various materials and tend to look quite unusual today. The image above is one made in France. There are actually rumors that C-P3O’s design inspiration, from the Star Wars movies, came from this helmet! Regardless if that’s true or not, these helmets do resemble something from science fiction films new and old.

We are always looking to purchase vintage smoke helmets and any other antique industrial helmets that may be unusual or rare. Please give me (Don Creekmore) a call at 316-371-1828 or email helmets@nationsattic.com

Mills Submarine Lung Tester by Jenny Creekmore



Mills Novelty Submarine Lung Tester Image From Sales Catalog

Don and I enjoy all types of antiques.  We have always looked for rare and interesting pieces to bring to our home and to our business.  There is a fascinating coin operated item that we would truly be thrilled to find.  Not only is this machine coin operated, but it has a nautical theme.  This machine is right up our alley!

It is a Mills Submarine Lung Tester, which is approximately 100 years old.  Don has a Mills Novelty catalog and one of the machines available in the catalog is this awesome lung tester.  Well, as usual, I was totally excited about this wonderful piece of Americana.  I instantly became curious and asked Don lots and lots of questions.

I was extremely shocked to hear, that none of these machines exist.  At least that is the rumor!  Well, this only made me ask even more questions.  Now logically, I understand that Tuberculosis was a problem and this type of machine was an easy way to spread diseases and illnesses.  So I can see why the machines are difficult to find.

Here were some of my initial questions.  Was this machine ever manufactured?  If so, how many were manufactured?  If it wasn’t manufactured, why did they put it in the catalog? Or was it a concept machine?  Did any other company try to mimic and produce a similar lung tester?  If these were manufactured, why don’t any originals still exist?  Was it due to Tuberculosis or some other reason?  Does anyone have photos or memories of this machine being used in a public place?  If these beautiful machines were destroyed, what was the process?  Did Mills give refunds to the customers or did the owner just have to eat the cost? 

See, all of these questions were just racing through my mind.  It just doesn’t make sense as to why no originals exist.  If we could only go back in time!

The detailed workmanship is so amazing and the concept is exciting.  Just think of how much fun it would be to see if you could get more divers to the surface than your buddy.  (Minus all of the possible germs – just take that gross factor out) 

The top of the machine would have said “How Many Divers Can You Bring To The Top”.  It only took a penny and you would have a chance to blow in the tube to see if you could get one, two, three, four or even five divers to the surface.  So awesome!  The top of the machine had a detailed ocean view, with waves and rocks.  The ships are just as detailed and they even have the American flag flying on one of the ships.  The five divers are down in the ocean and look like they are near an old shipwreck.  The divers even have the full jake.  (Helmet, suit, boots and belt)  I am so impressed with all of the realism and accuracy that Mills put into the design of this machine.  The lower part of the machine has an image of mermaids swimming in the sea.  The machine was encased in wood and had ornate fish as an additional decoration.  It seems like no expense was spared when designing this machine.    

If you happen to have an original Mills Submarine Lung Tester, we would love to hear from you.  I truly hope that an original exists somewhere and that we can one day be fortunate enough to look, touch and experience the machine.  Or if you have any family photos or stories about this piece of Americana, we would be so thrilled to speak with you.  The search continues and may you be as excited as we are with this mysterious and gorgeous machine. Jenny or Don can be reached at 316-371-1828 or slots@nationsattic.com

Rust On Antique Slot Machines by Jenny Creekmore

 Do you have an antique slot machine mechanism that looks like this? 

Example Of A Rusted Antique Pace Slot Machine Mechanism

If so, please keep reading. 

Don and I frequently get asked about rust on slot machine parts.  Over the years, we have seen slot machines that have been underwater due to floods, hurricanes and tornados.  We have also encountered machines that have sat out in garages, barns and sheds.  In humid environments or damp areas these machines just love to absorb the moisture. 

Now on a disgusting note, we should also mention that mouse nests can really damage the inside of a slot machine.  Those little critters just love to get inside the slot machine and make homes for themselves and their family.  Whether they use the cash box or the front of the machine, they tend to expel urine and feces in the machine.  This is devastating to the insides of the slot machine.  (And icky too)

So between underwater damage, general humidity or weather elements and animal secretions, you might have a slot machine or slot machine mechanism that needs to be taken care of. 

Fortunately, we have a solution to the problem.  Don and I can completely disassemble the slot machine or slot machine mechanism.  We have the capability of media blasting the rust off of each and every component.  Once the rust has been removed, we then apply a clear coat to the metal.  This is a very time consuming task, but it is something we have a lot of experience in doing.  To stop the rust from continuing to damage the metal, it is necessary to remove all rust and then clear coat the part.  This needs to occur on every single part before reassembly.

Sometimes, the rust is so significant that pitting will be in the metal.  There isn’t much we can do about the pitting, but the metal won’t continue to erode.  If the rust is not taken care of, it will continue to ‘eat’ away at the metal until the parts are destroyed.

Here is a picture of an antique slot machine mechanism after being disassembled, media blasted, clear coated and reassembled.



Example Of A Restored Antique Pace Slot Machine Mechanism

If you have a machine that needs some help, please feel free to call us at 316-371-1828 or email us at slots@nationsattic.com.  We are more than happy to help you get your antique slot machine back to factory original condition and free of all rust.