Treasure Cave (Elephant Gift Vender)

[paulcfc]

Topic merged - Site Admin.

Hi all
One of my abiding memories of childhood was walking from Cliftonville to Margate (on holiday from sunny Leicester) on the way to Dreamland. On the way was the highlight of the walk... The Elephant Machine! It was an elephant that went round a track and into a cave and magically came out with a box which, at that time, seemed terrific for someone of my age! Anyway, being in my 40s now and with a young son I was wondering if any of these machines were ever up for sale.

They were in a case and, from what I can remember, looked quite old then! I'd just like to get my hands on one if they still exist.

[slotalot]

Hi Paul, welcome to the forum
I think the machine you are looking for is called the Treasure Cave, made by Whales of Redcar, they do come up for sale from time to time. Here is an old photo I have found on my computer
Sorry, it's not mine.

[miked16]

Hi all,

I recently acquired one of the Treasure Cave machines (will get some pictures taken this week) I have a few questions which I will also post in the Questions and Answer category also in case this isn't the right place to ask!

Does anyone know how the mechanics work or have photos of the inside of another working model?

Does anyone have graphics for the glass at the back, would have been 'Whales' version of a beach with galleon?

And do you know where I might get an metal old coin slot for the front? Ideally to match or go with the doors on the front:

treasurecave_doors.jpg (37.06 KiB) Viewed 3301 times

Any help would be really really appreciated. I have wanted one of these ever since I can remember, and now that I have found one would love to get it working.

Michael.

[slotalot]

Hi Michael welcome to the site, once you post your photos I may be able to help you. Is your machine missing any bits from the mech or do you just have a pile of bits and not sure? Can I ask what part of the UK you live in?
Please don't forget to sign our petition or like us on facebook. [xurl]http://www.facebook.com/pennypetition[/xurl] We need your help too... lol.

[miked16]

Hi!

Thanks for the reply! I've liked the facebook page and signed the petition Happy to be here, have been reading as a 'guest' for a while! I'm from Shropshire in the West Midlands.

The machine seems to have all 'its bits' inside, but some are a bit rusty - I'm not knowledgeable enough to know if anything is missing but it does seem to be altogether. I have taken lots of photographs today after taking the back off and posted some below, but do have lots more. I'm missing the top panel of glass from inside (with the scene on) and also the glass that goes around the very top on the outside.

Here are some pictures (those at the bottom are from before I gave it a clean);

I also need a coin slot cover for this;

I am a complete novice, so any help or pointers in the right direction will be appreciated. I don't think I will be able to repair this myself as not skilled enough but would like to get as much info as possible!

Thanks so much.

Michael.

[jimmy55]

Wow ....fascinating machine ...takes me right back to Great Yarmouth in the '60s! Must weigh a ton!

[miked16]

It really does weigh a lot!

I think this must have been 'taken out of action' in the '60s, as it never got converted after 6d. There were still some old coins in the back and lots of prizes which were very '50s/'60s.

I remember the one I saw at a fair here in Shropshire in the 1980s when I was a child, in fact it was still in use a few years ago I took my daughter to see it and have a go, took pictures and video but can't find them anywhere on this computer. I can remember being fascinated by it as a child and going back each year the fair came to town just to see it. I always wanted to get one of my own. And finally I did and so pleased with it, especially as it seems to be an earlier version.

[slotalot]

Hi Michael. Thanks for the photos, from what I can see it looks as if it is complete, the method of drive for the prize carrousel is not what I would have expected to see, this normally has a Geneva stop mechanisum to turn it round, but back in the day they would use whatever they had to hand at the time that would do the job, so yours will be origonal.
I have attached a photo of a similar machine that I restored last year, mine had a door at the rear, yours has a door at the side, also the cabinet is different to the one I had.
I have attached a photo that shows what the missing top glass should look like, it is revesr painted by hand on glass with acrylic paints.
what I would do is just work your way through the machine, cleaning and looking at how the bits work, if you have any specific questions I am sure we will be able to guide you as you go on.
Good luck with the restoration, and keep in touch.

[badpenny]

Thanks S, I'd never heard of a Geneva Drive, that's really fascinating.

Internal_Geneva_wheel_ani_220px.gif (174.43 KiB) Viewed 3204 times

220px-Geneva_mechanism_6spoke_animation.gif (218.66 KiB) Viewed 3204 times

Jeremy

PS .. oh bugger! no sooner do you find something new then it confuddles the hell out of you .......
I've just noticed that both drive wheels are turning in opposite directions yet the plates being driven are rotating identically!!!!!!

[slotalot]

Hi BP , this is a photo of a Geneva stop from a Whales treasure cave, which is a much smaller machine than Michael's machine and only has 4 slots instead of 5 for the prize carousel, and the Whales machine is a lot...lot..lighter than Michael's machine as well. one revolution of the elephant turns the carousel a quarter turn, which means you can load the machine with 4 x the number of prizes. very clever stuff.