On the bay , Watling Slot Machine ,new in shipping crate

[ballywho]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Watling-Slot-Machine-MINT-MINT-NOS-NEW-IN-UNOPENED-CRATE/202194044097?hash=item2f13b444c1:g:x6YAAOSwVF1aTY9t

It goes on to state

"" Watling Slot Machine in original, unopened crate!  $13,000



If you are a slot machine collector you must know that this is likely your one and only chance to purchase a slot machine in its original unopened crate. A "once in a blue moon”  “life-time" opportunity for a Watling machine with the highly collectable 25 cent play!   



For serious collectors looking for true “MINT condition”, this machine truly redefines these words. If this doesn't get your collectable juices moving, nothing will! 



Initial Description:



First off, the featured slot machine photo in the description is NOT the one for sale. As stated on the photo it is a "stock photo only" of what I believe is likely very similar to the one IN the crate or more likely an exact duplicate.



The Crate has never been opened by me (or anyone else according to the original seller) so I cannot be 100 percent certain of all the details, model number, etc. I am NOT a Watling specialist.  I can certify, however, that it IS a crated and unused Watling Slot Machine (that is very obvious) but I cannot say for certain that it is a 25 cent Castle Front. Although that is what I was told I purchased and all indications point that out.  I will leave it up to you, the bidder, to decide the details. More information on this and the photos below.



Background:



I am a  small private collector of coin operated machines, including slots, juke boxes, popcorn machines, etc. I like things clean and original. I purchased the slot machine at a Long Beach Coin Operated Machine sales convention over 15 years ago. It has been covered in my closet or garage all this time. I bought it from an established and well known collector who specialized in Watling Slots and was selling off his collection. At the time, many at the show wanted me to uncrate the machine but I thought it would be more valuable and more interesting to not uncrate it. I bought it from the seller as a 25 cent Castle Front Watling Rol-A-Top Slot Machine. It is sometimes referred to as "Checkerboard" (The slot machine casting and colors resemble both a castle and a checkerboard.)  There are two original small round stickers on the top of the crate (in hand printing). One sticker says   â€œ25 * Rol-A-Top” the other sticker says "castle front".



According to the International Arcade Museum the Checkerboard or Castle machine was manufactured in 1947. Another site says 1947 -1949.  That makes this machine 70 years old or close to it.



 The Slot Machines:



 Watling Rol-A-Top slot machines are known as the King of Slot Machines for any collector and most agree that the Watling Rol-A-Top is one of the most attractive three wheel slots ever manufactured. They are solid, durable commercial machines that have been played in businesses or casinos for years and years. They are sold in “original” used and slightly abused but mainly untampered condition. Many have broken parts that have been re-machined, modified, etc. but not too much. They are sought after by true collectors. Some used and barely working Watling machines have sold for well over $7,000 while some have been sold in dubious“restored” condition for $12,000 or far more on Ebay and other auctions.



This machine has never been restored, refurbished, repainted, plated, or “tampered with”. Nor has it ever been taken apart and put back together by some “expert” to LOOK new. For all intents and purposes this machine IS NEW! Except for a layer of fine dust perhaps that penetrated the crate over the decades. It has never seen the light of day!



The photos:



The crate itself is in excellent condition and has a value by itself. There is a slight crack in one of the slats shown in one photo of the crate but it is in great condition.



I decided not to uncrate the slot but used a remote endoscope camera to view and take photos of the machine. In the process, I needed to make several small cuts (about the size of a quarter) in the brown Kraft-type paper bag material that appears to seal and enclose the slot like a bag.  Material was brittle and cracked mostly at the edges of the cuts. I was able to thread the remote semi-rigid cable and camera into the opening for some very close and tight shots in some areas. I did not want to disturb the integrity of the crate or contents so I limited the shots. (I have a few more available)



The images posted from the endoscope camera are obvious and comparisons can be made with the “stock photo” image. By careful observation, the tiny close-in snapshots seem to correspond with areas on the stock slot machine photo.



What I observed and surmised:



1  Slot machine appears to be similar or exactly like the stock  photo. A “castle” front. Yellow/gold in color.

2  A find layer of dust covers the machine. The dust is a very light layer in most areas and slightly heavier in others. The dust appears to be very superficial and does not appear to be adhered to the surface of the machine. (areas where the endoscope was dragged across the surfaces, disrupted or cleared the dust quite easily) Also noticed a small cobweb and dead spider egg on inside of crate and outside of paper packing.There appears also to be some heavier packing material material (not unlike styrofoam) for packing support. I believe this packing material also acted like a barrier to prevent my endoscope from moving freely around the contents of the crate and the slot surface - limiting my photos.

3 The slot appears to be a 25 cent machine as noticed in one photo (not shown in the listing).

4 Slot also appears to be a “Twin Jackpot” version like the stock photo. Jackpot # 1 and  #2

5. The colors are similar but not exactly like the stock photo version.  But remember the colors of the stock photo slot are photos of a repainted slot and not authentic. Plus there is dust on surfaces of the crated slot.

6 The slot appears to be in remarkable original condition (as expected) and obviously can be left in the crate as-is. Or it can be uncrated, dusted off and shown to the world as likely the best example of what a true Watling “survivor” looks like - in all its original glory!! (Recommend video taping the process if you decide to uncrate it)

7 Original reel strips are plainly visable.



Assumed:



I “assume” the slot machines comes crated and packaged with original keys, instruction booklets, change box, etc and all that an operator would need to get get it up and working properly (collecting $) But not sure what is enclosed.

[shortrackskater]

Thanks for posting. This is fascinating!!! I will watch the auction.

[cowboygames]

Just playing devil's advocate here, but isn't it likely that after this many years this machine would have to be taken apart and completely cleaned and greased? Maybe have some rubber replaced?

[speedbump]

Just playing devil's advocate here, but isn't it likely that after this many years this machine would have to be taken apart and completely cleaned and greased? Maybe have some rubber replaced?

For a true collector of old mechanicals, one would only pull enough slats of the box open just far enough to confirm a real, virgin, untouched machine is there.  I doubt it would ever be removed from the box. 

[jay]

25c really ?


Were not most of these 1c, or Nickles ?

[shortrackskater]

The more common ones were 5 cents. 25 cents are more desirable as well as penny machines, which I'd LOVE to find.  And some were fifty cent and of course, silver dollars.