Item: Antique Watling Rol A Top Slot Machine Checkerboard 5c Vintage Casino Gambling
Sold For: $4,078.00
Bids: 31
Date: Aug 19, 2012
Auction: Ebay
Description and Image By: abacoin
This machine is a 5 cent denomination; with the serial number of 98,500. The serial number is stamped into the outside of the cabinet (near the coin return on the upper right) as well as into the wood inside the cabinet near the coin box. The machine also retains its original Watling paper label in the case – with the serial number barely legible but giving a third reference to the serial number. Per the Watling reference book this dates the machine to late 1949 or 1950.
This is one of the last Rol-A-Top machines made by Watling! This is a very nice machine that presents very well and plays perfectly. It came from an estate where the owner (of the last 30+ years) kept the machine in a smoke-free, pet-free gameroom. The mechanism is all original and is in excellent condition. The wood case and castings were tastefully restored in the 1980s and have a great overall patina. The castings are all in excellent condition – showing no signs of cracks or damage. Note that often the inner casting or cowling around the escalator is cracked or a newer aluminum replacement. This machine retains the ORIGINAL pot-metal casting in excellent condition. This is indicative of the great overall condition of this particular specimen. The double jackpot is all original and complete and working. It is loaded with original Indian head buffalo nickels.
The machine has its original reel strips. There are some scratches in a few spots – but nothing too distracting. Colors in the original award card and original strips are sharp and vivid. The machine has its original cash box with a Yale lock and working key and also the original Watling metal back door. There are two small holes in the metal back door – but they obviously don’t affect the function of the machine. Lock and key are newer and work fine.