Need help identifying Bally slot machine

[kameronth]

Hi all,

I was given this Bally machine.  It's still in Vegas with my brother but I'll hopefully pick it up this summer when I get some spare time to make the drive.  It has a tag on the side but I have not had luck finding any info from the numbers listed.  He said everything works great, but every once in a while the 3rd wheel will not stop spinning.  Here are some pictures:

[shortrackskater]

I can't quite see the number. It looks like Bally 866-2? Maybe someone else will know.
That's a GREAT looking machine. I love the glass - it just tells a story on its own, from days gone by. This looks to be a "jackpot only" machine from the appearance.
There are plenty of people here who can help you with this machine. 

[Amechanic]

Numbers are hard to read. I think it reads 863. If that's right it's a Slim Line (5 coin multiplier)..

[kameronth]

Sorry the picture wasn’t very clear. It says 863-2. So it looks to be a late 60’s early 70’s machine?  I think it’s great with the Vegas history because I was born and raised there. I can’t complain because it’s being given to me but the old age certainly makes me nervous about upkeep.

[Jim]

Just for common information about Bally ID metal plates on the side of the machine.  If you want to know when that machine was manufactured look at the top of the plate, shine a light on an angle and you will see three sets of numbers stamped into the metal, that is supposed to be the date that machine was made.

Jim

[kameronth]

Thanks for the info!  It says 2 5 70.  So 1970.

[DavidLee]

Nice machine with the Golden Gate belly glass.
If the machine was from the Gate, most likely I dropped few coins in at some point.
And a good chance my grandfather did maintenance on the machine.
Golden Gate was know for their 50 cent Shrimp Cocktails and the restaurant had great prime rib dinner.
Did hit a $-6 spot for $1480. one night back in the 80’s at the Gate. Yes, back when the drinks were free and breakfast was 99 cents.

[kameronth]

Thanks.  From what I have been told, it came from the Golden Gate.  The history is interesting!  I'm probably a little younger but I remember going to the Golden Gate for 99 cent shrimp cocktails - in the 90's.  I'm not sure what price they're at now!   

[shortrackskater]

Keep us posted on the machine. And be CAREFUL AS HECK moving it. It's really easy to break the glass. Make sure it's secure, and padded. And, lock the door so that it doesn't open. AND... remove the hopper, or else you might get coins all over, where you don't want them.

[kameronth]

I appreciate the advice.  I was just down in vegas two weeks ago and brought back a Game King but my brother didn't find this machine until a week after I already left.  I think my parents are coming up for a visit this summer so I am going to try and have it hitch a ride with them.  I'll pass this info on so it makes it in one piece. 

[Amechanic]

If something happened to the glass, you will never be able to replace it.

[coincard]

Great machine, love the belly glass, I just looked the machine up 863-2 it was made for Bally with Lightning reels so it probably was a stock machine that either found its way to the gate or the belly glass was added later, either way doesn't really matter the machine is still not very common and the belly glass is awesome, like Gary said be very careful with the belly glass, if it gets broke you have a better chance of winning the lottery than finding another one....

Dave

[rokgpsman]

If you're not going to be there to babysit the machine on its transport to you I'd give some thought to removing the glass from the machine and putting each glass piece in a suitcase, wrapped in a couple of the towels from the Venetian (or 5 of the towels from Harrah's).    

[kameronth]

I’m a little hesitant now sending it up with my parents when they come to visit. I’m sure they’ll put it in their travel trailer for their week drive up here. They plan on stopping at a lot of places along the way. I may just leave it with my brother until I get a chance to make the 20 hour one way drive again myself. I would be devastated if the glass broke.

[rokgpsman]

It could make the trip just fine, they will know how important it is to you. But precautions are needed, accidents happen, the machine is heavy so it could fall or lean over if not tied down or secured well and its own weight could press the glass against something like a table corner or a chair. They may have to brake quickly if a dog or something runs across the road. And something or someone could bump into the glass and crack it if its crowded in the trailer.

We've seen and heard about all kinds of tragedies related to glass, so that's what is behind the caution being talked about. Some folks that are extra-careful remove the candle on top, remove the upper and lower glass and pack it separately, or put thick pieces of foam and then some cardboard over the glass. I hope you never have a hard to replace glass get broken, but if you do you'll really feel the concern everyone here has.

[coincard]

I had 11 machines shipped from Las Vegas to North Carolina in the back of a U-Haul trailer and they all made it here safe and sound, the seller took extra care and put thick cardboard and foam around each piece of glass and them used some of that stretch wrap they use on pallets, and wrapped each machine tight so that the glass could not vibrate during transport and the padding protected the glass from any wayward blows to the glass area, I think if your parents do something like that and secure it so it does not tip over you should be fine. They sell those rolls of stretch wrap at U-Haul, Lowes, Etc...

Dave

[kameronth]

Well, it made it up to me safe and sound.  Besides replacing some light bulbs and a missing door lock, it works great!

[smoothgrh]

Thanks for the update! You've got a nice game setup!

[Amechanic]

Nice game 👍 I like that belly glass when it’s lite up.

[JanGbg]

That machine looks extremely boring with few wins.