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I find it strange that by changing the coinage to English that this increases its value as i would of thought an original coin/token would be more collectable, again my history is with jukes (sorry).

I understand remodelling to gain further use of the machine instead of scrapping it and I take it that Henri Spanagel had the licence to alter the original Bussoz machines.

You mentioned the Grand Prix and Le Grand Steeple being sold in France last November and as you don't talk about prices I take it selling this type of machine is far better in France. Do you have the sold prices please?????

How many models did Bussoz make and of what amount went on to be remodelled by "Henri" and was the company a small / large player?

Now I know as I have read on the forum that new people with poor information asking what seems like stupid questions are not that welcome and I understand this point, as I to have in the past had to answer the most stupid questions on jukeboxes so I know what it its like!!!!!!!!!!!!! but I did answer the questions and I am very glad that you have helped me in this.

I would like to see a photo of the Grand Prix rather that a black and white shot from a book so I need all of you to dig deep into the garage/loft/house etc. and take one as I am sure there is one here.

Also do you have a swap/exchange page as I am trying to buy a slot machine but also on the forum you say you need a licence to sell so I guess this is why I can't find any. I tried ebay but little there (I know why now) and there are no magazines any more - again a sore point I see.

I remember there used to be lots of bandits and we used to use them as sweeteners in jukebox deals (I will get strung up for this) also I remember going to Jimmy Brodricks with 3 floors of the damn things all lying around the floor - where did they go!!!

Well I am going to baton down the hatch now and wait for the incoming.

Let me know what bandits you have or where I can buy one.

CHEERS.

momo wrote:I find it strange that by changing the coinage to English that this increases its value as I would of thought an original coin/token would be more collectable...

This is the exception that proves the rule. Certainly the French would want it "as original." Collectors of British Amusement machines usually prefer the old Penny because that's wall-machine currency in the UK. German wall machine bandits such as Beromats seem to fetch more over here if they've been converted to our old currency. US coinage is favoured by serious collectors of American bandits.

momo wrote:I take it that Henri Spanagel had the licence to alter the original Bussoz machines.

He wouldn't have needed one. Operators and distributors were free to customize and revamp as much as they liked, provided they didn't try to pass off the result as a new product of the original manufacturer.

momo wrote:You mentioned the Grand Prix and Le Grand Steeple being sold in France last November and as you don't talk about prices I take it selling this type of machine is far better in France. Do you have the sold prices please?????

I'm afraid I didn't go to the auction, so I only have the catalogue, not the results - and my attempts to get more information (or catalogues) from the auctioneers have not been successful.

momo wrote:How many models did Bussoz make and of what amount went on to be remodelled by "Henri" and was the company a small / large player?

Nobody's published a definitive list yet, but their catalogue included many roulettes and allwins and more unusual things like a very early mechanical jukebox (Bussophone). It looks like Spanagel must have been quite active in revamping for several years in the early 1930's and it would appear that "quite a few" have survived. I doubt that even the French collectors can be specific about numbers.

momo wrote:Now I know as I have read on the forum that new people with poor information asking what seems like stupid questions are not that welcome and I understand this point...

I haven't seen any stupid questions on our forum yet. Our members are high calibre! All questions about old slots are welcome here, and ignorance is not equated with stupidity.

momo wrote:I would like to see a photo of the Grand Prix rather that a black and white shot from a book...

Below is Le Grand Prix from the French sale.

momo wrote:Also do you have a swap/exchange page as I am trying to buy a slot machine...

You could try an advert in the Market - but it's best to be specific about what model you want and the price you are prepared to pay. "OLD SLOT MACHINE WANTED" won't do. We all want old slot machines. That's why we're here!

momo wrote:I remember going to Jimmy Brodricks with 3 floors of the damn things all lying around the floor - where did they go!!!

The Star Warehouse has entered the realm of antique slot mythology. Of course, some of those machines are now scattered amongst British collectors, but (allegedly) a large proportion went abroad as part of an inventive underworld trading enterprise which culminated in Jimmy's overseas agent being assassinated in a third world country.
It was one of the most expensive places to buy old machines at the time, and the casual visitor was not always made to feel welcome. The bandits I think would have been the least profitable "investments" given their relatively small rise in value over the years.

What a great site!!!!!!

I would like to ask a question about ANOTHER horse game by Bussoz. I love the Grand Steeple - in fact I'm looking to buy that one. I came close in Paris 2 weeks ago.

The machine I purchased has a pointer, the wheel has pictures of horses. Red Yellow black. I was told in France they would bet for cups of coffee (to answer that fellow MOMO's question).

I have spent quite a few hours researching this machine. Maybe you can tell me more? Thanks, Ron (Brandy).

Hi Ron, Below is a picture of a roulette that sold in the Pansu auction. Is is listed as "PMU" and accredited to Bussoz, 1935. If my weak French is reliable, the mechanism is by Bonzini, another French maker of roulettes. Is this your machine? Regards, John Peterson, USA.

Hi everyone,
Just to add onto this old topic, the last picture from John T. Peterson is a Bussoz roulette called Paris Turf; mechanism and cabinet made by Bonzini in the 30s.
Bonzini was an employee of Bussoz, and when Bussoz started his jukebox manufacturing, Bonzini started his own business, but as Bussoz was very well appreciated by customers, they worked together until French law forbade this type of machine in 1937.
Maybe Ron was talking about PMU, another horse game by Holding, another French manufacturer...