O.D. Jennings Dixie Bell by Jenny Creekmore

O.D. Jennings Dixie Bell Restored By Nations Attic

Love it!

Don and I had the privilege to restore an O.D.  Jennings Dixie Bell for the nicest lady.   Yes, it was the first time I had ever seen one in person and of course I instantly fell in love with the machine. 

Oh dear…it is indeed another instance where I would just be thrilled to add a Dixie Bell to our personal collection.  Both Don and I truly are honored to work on such wonderful pieces of Americana.  The problem is our passion for these antique slot machines.  We just want to keep them all!  J

Not only does this antique slot machine have a stunning color of green, but look at the bells.  The bells are really just awesome.  Other than the obvious aesthetic beauty of this machine, let’s get to the interesting history of this vintage slot machine model. 

The O.D. Jennings Company manufactured this slot machine model for use in the southern parts of the United States, specifically Louisiana around 1937.  While it has not been proven, the story is that this model was a special order by gangster Frank Costello.  By having his own particular slot machine model, everyone knew who was in charge of and operated this ‘one armed bandit’.

The Dixie Bell is unique in that it has a false extra jackpot on the front.  The false jackpot was an attempt to attract more customers.  Customers would ‘think’ the machine had an extra-large jackpot, but they were really just being fooled.  The jackpot on the mechanism was really the same as other models being manufactured by O.D. Jennings at the time. 

Just a little bit of deception……gotta love our history!

For the before & after photos please go to: http://www.nationsattic.com/antique_jennings_slot_machine_restoration_repair_3.html

My First Slot Machine! by Jenny Creekmore

Several years ago, Don and I were visiting with a fellow slot machine collector.  We were very fortunate to have the opportunity to look at his wonderful collection.  As we were looking at all of these unique machines, there it was, the slot machine that I knew we needed to have in our personal collection.  Unfortunately, this slot machine wasn’t for sale and I was quickly informed that not many of these machines had been manufactured.  Well frankly, it kind of busted my bubble, but just a little.   

I begged Don to find me one of these machines.  He told me that they were made by the Jennings Company and that they were made for less than two months.  He wanted to make sure that I understood it could take years to find a machine for sale.  So on occasion, I would ask him about my dream machine.  

Well, several years later….

Don came home and said, you won’t believe it, we have a chance to buy your slot machine.  So here it is, my very first slot machine that I purchased.  

Jennings Victoria A - AKA The Witch or Black Cat

It is my understanding that the operators back in the day called this machine the Black Cat.  The Jennings Company called this machine the Victoria Model A.  Today people refer to it as the Black Cat or the Witch. 

When the machine arrived home, I was just simply thrilled.  Our new machine looks aesthetically fantastic and is in perfect original condition.  Even the original fortune reel strips look perfect.  So here I go…I put my very first nickel into the machine and pulled the handle.  Boy howdy, the mechanism was groaning and growling like something was trying to get out of the witches cauldron.  I instantly asked Don, why the machine was so noisy.  He informed me that the machine was playing just fine and not to be alarmed.

The Jennings Company spent years developing a new mechanism.  The goal was to place the jackpot on the mechanism.  This was done for numerous reasons, of which, I hope to discuss in future postings.  The Jennings Company had great expectations for this slot machine with its new technology and look.  Unfortunately, around the same time, the Mills Company released the War Eagle.  The slot machine was not popular with the operators and the Jennings Company received negative feedback about the machine.  The Jennings Company quickly created the slot machine known as the Victoria Model B. So after less than two months of being manufactured, my wonderful and amazing Black Cat was no longer being made. 

A little bit ago, I played my machine and I hit three oranges.  The fortune says… “You’ll elope with, A country hick, Who’ll be your down-fall”  Just plain silly!  On a serious note, I am so privileged to own such a rare and unique slot machine.  I frequently get asked if I would sell my machine.  Perhaps one day, but not today.  The Witch and I are just having too much fun!