Jennings Butterfly Revamp by Jenny Creekmore

I had the privilege and opportunity to restore a JenningsButterfly Revamp slot machine.  When the slot machine arrived in our shop, I unpacked the antique machine and I instantly fell in love.  At that time, I had never seen one of these beautiful slot machines before.  The lower front casting looks very similar to the lower front casting of a Mills Poinsettia slot machine.  However, this revamp machine added a butterfly and a sunrise image.  In my opinion, it really is spectacular and quite detailed. 

Of course, directly after unpacking the slot machine, I quickly found my husband Don Creekmore.  I wanted to know everything about this machine.  I found it to be very interesting that the machine looked extremely similar to the Mills Poinsettia machine.  Almost like a copy, but with some new casting enhancements. 

Don informed me that it was indeed an O.D. Jennings slot machine and was originally an Operator Bell.  However, the machine had been revamped or modified by another company called PNC.  PNC probably made the modifications to this slot machine around 1930. 

So why would an O.D. Jennings Operator Bell need to be modified?  At least that was my question. 

When the slot machine was originally sold, it did not have a jackpot.  The jackpot feature is something that became available after this particular machine was manufactured. 

With the relatively large number of non-jackpot slot machines on the market, smaller companies, such as PNC, would buy these used slot machines.  These smaller companies would then make a new lower casting which would include a physical jackpot.  Often, they would mimic or copy other slot machines that were popular.   As in this case, the Mills Poinsettia lower front casting was mimicked.  Along with the smaller companies, Pace Manufacturing of Chicago IL made similar looking castings to revamp Mills and O.D. Jennings machines.  These companies would then resell the slot machine as a ‘revamp’ jackpot model.  To the best of my knowledge, this practice occurred from around 1928 to 1932.  By the early 1930’s all factory new slot machines contained the jackpot feature. 

I think the O.D. Jennings Butterfly Revamp slot machine is absolutely gorgeous and historically very interesting.  I would love to add one to our collection.  If you have one and are interested in selling your antique slot machine, please give me a call at 316-371-1828.

Antique Slot Machines We Are Always Looking To Buy!

During the course of any week we get numerous requests for all kinds of vintage slot machines.  Sometimes we are lucky enough to find the machine in a week or so, but sometimes it can take years! Starting in 2012 we have started to keep a more detailed database of peoples request. So, if there is something special you have been searching for and would like to be added to our contact list, please email or call us.

So what are some of the types of machines we have clients looking for?

Watling Rol-A-Top Slot Machine

Watling Treasury Slot Machine

We currently have a strong need for any type of Watling Rol-A-Top or Rol-A-Tor slot machines. Watling made quite a few different variations of the famous Rol-A-Top from the early 1930’s to the early 1950’s. The Rol-A-Top came in penny through half dollar play and we are interested in them all. Watling also made a machine called the Treasury which is similar to the Rol-A-Top.  The Treasury is another machine we are looking for. Any upright or cast iron Watling machine manufactured from the 1880’s to 1920’s is also high on our want list!

Superior Confections Slot Machine

Superior Mystery Slot Machine

The next manufacturer is one that many people are not that familiar with, Superior Confections. Based out of Ohio during the 1930’s this company made a number of great looking slot machines and trade stimulators. If you have any machine with the Superior Confections name on it, please let us know!

Jennings Century Slot Machine

Jennings Prospector / Monte Carlo

Jennings Victoria A / Witch or Black Cat

O.D. Jennings made lots of different slot machines from the teens into the 1960’s. We are immediate buyers for the following O.D. Jennings models, the Witch, Chief, Tri-Plex, Buckaroo, Prospector, Monty Carlo, Sweepstakes, Baseball, Golf Ball, Golf-a-Rola,  Peacock, Century, Sun Chief and Airplane. Any Jennings machine in a tall cabinet is always something we are strong buyers on as well!

Caille Naked Lady Slot Machine

Caille The Operators Bell

Caille Brothers of Detroit, MI made some magnificent machines from the 1880’s into the 1930’s. We are strong buyers of ANY machine made by this company up until the 1920’s. Any upright Caille in a tall oak cabinet is something we can offer a lot of money for! If the machine is small or sits on a counter top and has a single or double wheel or dice associated with it, we can make you an aggressive offer for it! Any Caille machine that says Liberty Bell or Operator Bell is greatly wanted. If the Caille machine has images of a woman or two women, we are also strong buyers!

Pace Kitty

Pace Races Horse Race Slot Machine

Pace Royal Comet

Pace Manufacturing was a great company that made machines during the 1920’s until the 1960’s. Their peak probably occurred during the late 1940’s and 1950’s but our primary area of interest is machines with the names Kitty or Royal Comet. Pace also made a golf ball machine and a horse race machine call Paces Races.   We have clients who are waiting for these wonderful machines.

Mills Novelty Baseball Slot

Mills Novelty Dewey Double Upright

Mills Novelty Futurity Slot Machine

Mills Novelty Golf Ball Vender Slot

Mills Novelty of Chicago, IL was the largest maker of coin operated machines during the early and mid 20^th Century. Any Mills machine in a tall oak cabinet with a single, double or triple wheel is wanted. Mills Liberty Bell and Operator Bell machines are also greatly desired! Any Mills machine that is cast iron that was made before 1920 is in high demand. Mills made so many great machines it’s hard to list them all. Specifically a dice machine from the 1930’s is needed, Mills Baseball and golf ball machines are also in high demand. Un-restored Mills Roman Head, Lion Front and War Eagle’s are also needed. The Mills Futurity and any Mills machine that has the Bonus feature is needed. Rounding out the list, any QT machine is something we would like as well.

Chas Fey Liberty Bell Slot Machine

Other machines top on our list are anything made by Fey, specifically the Fey Liberty Bell. Watling, Caille and Mills roulette machines are also something we can pay a substantial amount of money for. This will hopefully give you a great idea of what the Nation’s Attic and our customer’s desire.  While I’m sure we are forgetting some key machines, this is just a general list.  Please feel free to call 316-371-1828 or email slots@nationsattic.com anytime.