Barrett Test Your Twist

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polaris
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Barrett Test Your Twist

Post by polaris »

I was today contacted by someone with a couple of machines for sale and amongst them is this strength machine, believed to be cast iron on 1d. Lovely looking machine but not something I am familiar with. Would anyone be able to attribute this to a maker and value of such a thing? I know prices are not openly discussed but it would be most helpful should I consider making an offer,
Many thanks.
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gameswat
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Re: test your strenght machine

Post by gameswat »

By Mathewson circa 1895, very rare and valuable - buy it!!
polaris
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Re: test your strenght machine

Post by polaris »

Many thanks gameswat.
Would you have an approximate figure in mind?
jimmycowman
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Re: test your strenght machine

Post by jimmycowman »

As Mini me says on Austin powers: 'one trillion dollars' ........ :HaHa:
mclemore
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Re: test your strenght machine

Post by mclemore »

Yes, early, rare (I know of 2 of them), and valuable. Part of a set. Probably the least attractive machine in the set, but the rarest.

I would be very interested in it if it was for sale...

http://www.pennyarcadia.co.uk
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badpenny
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Re: test your strenght machine

Post by badpenny »

Your link doesn't appear to work. !PUZZLED!
cooperman
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re cast iron machine 1895

Post by cooperman »

Topic moved & merged - Site Admin.

I have a test your strength machine, cast iron. You have to turn the handle and if you beat the machine you get your old penny back. It was made circa 1895. Al in working condition with keys. Only 2 surviving, very heavy, made by Mattherson. Looking for a collector. Can anyone give me some info on price of such machine? bobcooper85@ymail.com
Last edited by cooperman on Fri Jun 12, 2015 7:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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treefrog
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Re: re cast iron machine 1895

Post by treefrog »

I suspect there is another post under another thread on the said same machine (merged above - Site Admin.)
I would guess........as stated this sounds like a rare old machine. Post some pictures, although there is already one on the other thread....

People don't like giving prices on here for some reason and if you are the genuine owner someone else on here may have already been interested and I would hate to steal their thunder, but as you are on here and have asked, all one can say is that old machines like this are in a different league on pricing serious $$$$$

If unsure and no-one gives guidance, auction is always a route

Suspect you may be hit with lots of private messages shortly ;-)
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Re: re cast iron machine 1895

Post by cooperman »

I am the owner of the machine.
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treefrog
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Re: re cast iron machine 1895

Post by treefrog »

Well it's a fine and very original looking machine, even has a key. A nice machine to own. It would be great to see more pictures.
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Re: re cast iron machine 1895

Post by pennymachines »

Welcome to the site. Your Twist Tester is the rarest of the small cast iron machines made by Matthewson. It would command a high price, so as Tree Frog says, you would be unwise to jump at the first offer you get. We do not permit buying and selling via the forum, but if you want me to create an Auction/Market account for you to sell it here, let me know (these are free to members). Auction is definitely the sensible option to realize the best price because your lack of knowledge won't count against you as the keenest buyers compete against each other.
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treefrog
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Re: re cast iron machine 1895

Post by treefrog »

So you are all aware, Cooperman did not know about the risk of posting his phone number on here and obviously is getting a lot of offers/bids from many. The advice has been to go to auction for these items he has as they are rare and fresh to market. He is considering this and hopefully will get the best best by doing this and we will all get the chance to see such items.........
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Re: re cast iron machine 1895

Post by sweetmeats »

This twister you have was for many years the holy grail of the slots. The only evidence was a photo in Nick Costa's book. He spent a lot of time trying to find the actual machine without success. The picture was taken from a group of photos taken in the 1950s, or maybe before, and I believe related to Bollands stock. I bought them about 10 years ago and they included the Robbins shooter sold last month in America and the cast iron cricketer and two shooters from this set that were sold in Christies about 10 years ago. Another twister was found about 5 years ago. This was damaged on the top. I made a 500 mile round trip just to see it for real. I have to say it was a little disappointing compared to the gripper and shooter in the set, which I own. I did however make a five figure offer for it at the time, as did at least two other people. I understand the owner still has it. As the saying goes 'tickets of opportunity are stamped valid this day only'. I would no longer be prepared to pay this price but others may.

Have to go out now, but will post over the weekend some pictures I have on old postcards of the machine together with some of old photos of other machines from the Bollands stock.
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Re: re cast iron machine 1895

Post by cooperman »

Thank you. It will be nice to see old photos of it.
This machine still has the original key with it.
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daveslot
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Re: re cast iron machine 1895

Post by daveslot »

I have to say I was one of those who made the offer on the first one without even seeing it :!?!: so if it appears in auction here I will be bidding.
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gameswat
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Re: Matthewson Test Your Twist machine

Post by gameswat »

I wonder if Polaris had researched this himself, without alerting the world, if he might have ended up with it? I still can't believe in this day and age how few people involved in the hobby don't have decent research libraries at home? Even just a handful of the classic titles such as the fantastic "Automatic Pleasures" by Nic Costa will provide a wealth of important info, like this Mathewson in question. I'd have missed out on hundreds of machines without the knowledge gleaned from poring over my now thumb blackened books!
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Re: Matthewson Test Your Twist machine

Post by polaris »

To be honest gameswat, and Robert the owner will verify, I had no knowledge of actual value but knew that certain cast iron pieces can command a lot of money and told him so in our phone conversation. I had already declared I had no intention of pursuing the machine as it was also a long long distance from me. I was in contact with him relaying information as it was given to me as I had offered to find out info on the machine. I'm as shocked as anyone to discover what he has but am also delighted for him. It will be interesting to see what it finally makes when it comes to the market, being as it is so rare. If I am also honest, there probably will be that thought at some point "what if?" :D
sweetmeats
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Re: Matthewson Test Your Twist machine

Post by sweetmeats »

Following on from yesterday's entry, I have searched my collection of over 200 postcards showing slots and was surprised how few show the twister. I have two showing all three machines but the images are so small it is not possible to be certain. These are from Western-super-Mare and Blackpool. In contrast, I have over two dozen different locations with gripper and/or shooter, often as a trio, with the Doughy and Barrett race game. I do however have just one card showing the twister (on extreme bottom left) which will be included with photos to be added by my son as the technology is beyond me! This photo is taken on chain pier Brighton. This pier was washed away completely in a storm in December 1896.
Brighton Old Chain Pier
Brighton Old Chain Pier


Detail of Twist and Grip Testers on pier
Detail of Twist and Grip Testers on pier

The date given for these machines is 1895 and they are commonly attributed to Matthewson. Why? I have been unable to find patents for any of them. The have no name on any machine I have seen. The Footballer, Cricketer, Mermaid (yacht racer) and Artillery Duel patents are all known. They may well be older than 1895. Does anyone have information to help establish a firm attribution?
Football1.jpg

I am also adding a picture of another cast iron twister. I have had this over ten years and thought it was the only one ! Maybe it still is in England. A couple of years ago, I was contacted by two trusted collectors from the States who had heard of one similar. Although I haven't seen pictures, I am sure it exists. I have a copy of the patent dated 1890. Not as pretty or desirable as yours but it would seem equally rare.
TestYourMuscles1.jpg

Lastly, adding some photos of the Bollands machines that I don't think have come to light yet. If anyone knows better, I would love to know. I have seen the enamel cover only from the Electric Ray rifle.
Topic split - Site Admin. See Anyone seen any of these?
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gameswat
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Re: Matthewson Test Your Twist machine

Post by gameswat »

Sweetmeats wrote:A couple of years ago, I was contacted by two trusted collectors from the States who had heard of one similar. Although I haven't seen pictures, I am sure it exists.
This twist machine was in storage with a good friend of mine in the US and I saw photos when he tried to purchase it along with a collection of machines. But the deal never happened and the machines were finally picked up. Can't find any photos I had of it. Painted red from memory?
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gameswat
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Re: Matthewson Test Your Twist machine

Post by gameswat »

Sweetmeats wrote:The date given for these machines is 1895 and they are commonly attributed to Matthewson. Why? I have been unable to find patents for any of them. The have no name on any machine I have seen. The Footballer, Cricketer, Mermaid (yacht racer) and Artillery Duel patents are all known. They may well be older than 1895. Does anyone have information to help establish a firm attribution?
OK, I just did some research and The Grip Test, Twist Test and Pistol are not by Mathewson at all - but in fact by CHARLES ARTHUR BARRETT AND ALFRED BARRETT!! I just found the patent for the Grip Test dated 1891. I still need to find the other two patents but give me another 20 mins......

US 459062 A
It's no wonder then that the photos show the Grip and Pistol with the Barrett horse race in the middle!

In fact on just reading the Patent a little closer it states "Patented in England February 14, 1890". And in three different Aussie states too, amazingly.
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Last edited by gameswat on Sun Jun 14, 2015 1:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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