Electric Amuser info

[badpenny]

Wow Marco, you've gone to a lot of effort there.
We need to ensure your diagram doesn't just get lost within the mass of pages. I've often thought we should have somewhere labelled "Gems not to be lost" where we can store such beauties.

Also I thank you for introducing us to the word "Funkeninduktor" I intend to adopt it and make it my personal ambition to use it at least three times a week.
In exchange I offer back to you "bindlestiff" which is a vagabond. Make of it what you will.

[wembleylion]

Looking at the electrical circuit on Widget's machine it looks to me as though only the bulb is lit on a win. The box, top right, holds a battery and the switch is below the box and the circuit is made by the payout arm moving to the right.

Attached is a simple circuit designed to give a single shock. The switch could be either a low torque micro switch located in the coin slide to give a shock every time the machine is played or the switch could be like that on Widget's machine to give a shock only on a win. I guess on the some of the cheaper original machines the coin slide consisted of two tracks insulated from each other so the penny itself completed the circuit. The circuit need only be closed for a short time to charge the capacitor and the capacitor will hold the charge for a few minutes or until discharged through the player ----- Ouch.

Beware Electricity is Dangerous and this circuit can be arranged give substantial shock that may be painful / injurious to some persons. I can remember going to Paul Haskel's where he had his machines displayed in his garage. Paul had a selection of shockers in his collection including the well known Pig. Paul persuaded me, against my better judgement, to have a go on a Pickwick with a shocker. I had expected a small jolt but, by Christ, the belt nearly threw me across the garage and my arms felt like they had dislocated from their sockets.

Hope this helps. John.

[pennymachines]

Wunderbar Marco! It's great to have that cleared up at last. It all makes sense now.

We need to ensure your diagram doesn't just get lost within the mass of pages.

I've copied the post to Resources.

Looking at the electrical circuit on Widget's machine it looks to me as though only the bulb is lit on a win. The box, top right, holds a battery and the switch is below the box and the circuit is made by the payout arm moving to the right.

I think that's right, but surely the circuit must be made by the ball falling into a win. The lamp lets you know you've won and the machine is waiting to pay out. Turning the payout handle would switch it off again. I don't think it has anything to do with the shock feature (except it uses the same battery) and you will find it on some allwins without shockers. I've seen it on Birmingham made Quested Automatics games and believe it may be a characteristic feature of Birmingham made allwins.

Attached is a simple circuit designed to give a single shock.

Your diagram didn't attach for some reason. Could you try again? (Wait until the green tick indicates it's fully uploaded before submitting the post).

[wembleylion]

Sorry for the confusion Mr PM, I'm not sure what happened here but I thought I had deleted my post when I realised that I had attached a duff circuit diagram.

I made a shocker when I was at school in the 1950s and the diagram was from memory. I thought I had got it right but quickly making up the circuit I found it didn't work because a few bits had got lost in my brain box; old age striking back again.
On thinking more about it I'm sure I used some parts from an early battery portable radio; these used valves that had a 90 volt heater circuit and I think I used the 90 volt battery together with some of the paper wound capacitors plus other bits. I think the design came from an American boys comic.

John

PS; I notice on YouTube that there are numerous shockers made from single use camera electronics. I don't know how powerful these are but if they are any good they have the advantage that they would be small enough to hide inside a wood and cardboard tube finished to look like an original shock coil.

[widget2k4]

Ah, that all makes sense now - thank you for explaining it clearly. I'm still left wondering what the two big knobs are for though?

[wembleylion]

I'm still left wondering what the two big knobs are for though?

It's also possible that the knobs may have been connected at one time and due to the cost of replacement batteries for the shocker it was removed and sold on.

John

[widget2k4]

I am going to get this wired up and give it a try sometime, any recommendations on a battery?

[pennymachines]

Something like this if the bulb is 6 Volts?

[wembleylion]

I found this American patent for a Bunny Shooting Game.

The player holds the rifle which has two metal plates mounted on the rifle in the normal holding position and these plates are connected to a transformer. The Rabbit passes across the front of the target box and the player attempts to shoot the rabbit and if he succeeds one hit is recorded on the players counter but if he misses the rabbit turns raising the rifle he is carrying and a bulb lights in the rifle barrel and the player receives a shock through the metal plates on the rifle. What a brilliant game!!!


From the patent drawing the shocker is shown as just a transformer to raise / lower ? the mains voltage and I think this must have been the principle behind my school days shocker and the perhaps the reason for the 90 volt battery.

Here is the relevant excerpt from the patent
When the rabbit is turning the arms 4l and rifle 43 will be elevated as previously explained and the main electric switch 5B will be closed for energizing the circuit for illuminating the lamp in the miniature rifle carried by the rabbit and at the same time the relay 51 will be energized for closing switch 58 (Fig."7) and transformer circuit 59.
When the transformer 59 is charged, a mild shock will be transmitted to the gunner through wires 25 and 26 which are respectively connected with 'the transformer circuit and the switch 58.

This is the link to the full patent.
https://www.google.com.au/patents/US240 ... KYKHX4LB70
John

[john t peterson]

Now, if we could just teach the bunnies to pull a trigger, we'd really even up the odds.

A shock to the shooter for a missed shot is a nice alternative.

I'm still holding out hope for open season on politicians.

J Peterson
Straight shooter from USA

[arrgee]

I'm still holding out hope for open season on politicians

Many have the same sentiments about our UK politicians John, however, I still believe that the US have the best politicians that money can buy.

[pennymachines]

Lot 739, The Electric Amuser sold for £460 at Canterbury Auction Galleries on 17th Feb. then reappeared four days later as lot 216 in the EH auction, selling for £640! It had the shocker gubbins intact.

[widget2k4]

I got outbid at the Canterbury auction at £450. I chose not to go higher because of the 27% commission then the money to get it collected, however I was the successful buyer at EH at £640, bought purely because it was complete and I was hoping to replicate it onto my previous one which had quite a bit missing.

[badpenny]

Did you know it was the same machine?
BP

[widget2k4]

Yes mate, knew it was the same one and didn't want to miss out on it a second time around.

[pennymachines]

Quality will out, as they say. It's a nice machine and should certainly help you complete the other one. Unlike the German J&M example which Marco posted, yours are made in Birmingham, UK by the Coin Operating Company. Compare the first Electric Amuser you bought with the very similar Electric Allwin De Luxe I posted in this thread. Something quite unusual about these is that the reserve balls are hidden behind the instruction card which describes the reserve ball feature. It's also strange that the 'Electric Allwin' pictured in this advert (with identical carved top to yours) doesn't actually have the shocker fitted.

[pennymachines]

I said earlier that I didn't think the electric shock feature was tested in law, but in fact these newspaper reports from the Glamorgan Gazette, 8th of May, 1914 and The Luton News, 1st of October 1914, show that it was used to argue the case in court, albeit unsuccessfully in these instances.

SKILL OR A GAME OF CHANCE ?

INTERESTING CASE AT BRIDGEND POLICE COURT.
THE ELECTRA AMUSER.
DEMONSTRATIONS IN COURT.

A penny-in-the-slot machine was placed on the solicitors' table at Bridgend Police Court on Saturday. All the officials, police officers and solicitors gathered round to watch how a police sergeant received an electric shock, and then what fortune befell him in manipulating a ball into certain holes, one of which was called the "bull's eye." The interesting performance was the outcome of a summons against John Louie and Antonio Belli, refreshment house keepers, of Ogmore Vale, for having allowed on their premises an unlawful game, to wit, a game of chance; and Babinato Antonio was summoned for having aided and abetted.

The sergeant received the electric shock without flinching and scored a bull's eye with the first shot, but Mr. Parry (Messrs. Morgan, Bruce and Nicholas) was chary of testing the power of the electric current, although he tried to score a bull's eye and failed, while the agent of the company to whom the machine belonged, scored once and lost twice.

As to the legal aspect of the case, P.S. Hall stated that on Saturday, 18th April, he visited defendant's shop, accompanied by P.C. Richards. On the wall was a penny-in-the-slot machine called "Electric Amuser." There were five young lads around the machine, two of whom placed pennies in the slot without getting a prize. P.C. Richards also placed a penny in the slot, and he failed to get a prize. By placing a coin in it caused an electric contact, which gave the player an electric shock. When he released the handle the penny dropped and released a small ball. By pressing a spring that was shot at great speed, and by chance could fall into one of five compartments. Should it fall into number one or five it returned, and the player had another try. If it fell into two or four, the ball was lost, if in the centre compartment a cheque was released entitling the player to goods at the counter of the face-value of the cheque, which ranged from 2d., 4d., 6d., and 1s. Witness told defendant he was of opinion that it was clearly a game of chance, and asked him why he allowed it on the premises after witness' caution. He replied, "The people will pay." When served with the summons Babinato Antonio explained the machine, and said that 34s. 6d. had been taken from the machine during the week succeeding witness's visit.

Mr. Parry (Messrs. Morgan, Bruce, and Nicholas): Is there any limit to the time the electric shock lasts ? — I don't know; I don't think a man can hold it long.

But if a man is able the shock would continue till the battery is exhausted ? — I don't know.

Can you manipulate the ball by different pressures of the lever ? — I don't think that affects it much.

Does it make any difference how he presses it ? — My experience is that when the lever is pressed, the player has no control over the ball.

The machine was brought to the solicitor's table, and there manipulated by the witness. A penny was placed in the slot, the shock received, and the ball released. The sergeant's attempt got him a bull's eye and a cheque, and Mr. Parry said he would leave the test at that. The sergeant, however, secured another cheque with a second attempt.

Continuing cross-examination, Mr. Parry asked whether the sergeant knew that the amount extended in cheques was more than half the amount of the takings ? — Witness: I can't say.

For the defence, Mr. Parry said that one did not want to go into the law fully. Provided there was some skill it was taken out of the category of a game of chance. No proceedings had been taken in the High Court regarding that particular machine. There were two features in it, one of which was an electric battery. By putting a penny in the player got his full pennyworth of electric current, and could hold on for half an hour if he could and desired to. He submitted that the electricity was the main feature, and therefore there was no element of gaming. The superintendent had objected to a man he called, an expert, testing the machine, and that knocked the bottom out of the case because if a man could be an expert it must be a game of skill. Justice Scrutton had held that a machine — different to the one in this particular case — provided for a game of skill, and on the case going to the Court of Appeal, the decision was upheld. He proposed asking them to say there was involved in the game a scintilla of skill. Lord Justice Vaughan Williams held that there was more than a scintilla of skill in the game, and thought the amount of skill ought to be taken into consideration.

A representative of the machine company said no legal proceedings, with the exception of a case at Boston and one at Abercynon, which were dismissed, had been taken. There were no cheques of a greater value than 2d. The player could have the electric current as long as he liked, and could hold on. The person who put a penny in got the full value of that penny in electric shock. It was optional for a person to play the ball. He could leave it if he cared to, and some did.

The Bench decided that this was a game of chance, and imposed a fine of £1 in each case. Mr. Parry said the Bench would realise that it was an important matter for the makers of the machine and he took it the Bench would be prepared to state a case.

A second summons — against Antonio Coleaqui — was adjourned, and it was stated that the machines must not be used in the meantime.

Annie Darton, licensee of The Goat pub, 182 Park Street; William G. Cooper, of The Chequers, 112 Park Street; and William Edward Foxley, of The Panama, 34 Waller Street, were summoned at Luton Borough Sessions for allowing gaming to be carried on in their respective licensed premises.

Town Clerk William Smith said the prosecutions were taken under Section 79 of the Licensing Consolidation Act 1910. The charge was not so much with reference to unlawful gaming as allowing gaming to be carried on the premises.

Mrs Darton, who succeeded her husband as licensee of The Goat in December 1902, had an "electric amuser" machine installed. A label on it indicated that, being a patent, it had passed the scrutiny of Crown officials, and was in conformity with the law. The label also said there was no danger attached to its use but it provided "a great tonic, cured headache, rheumatism, neuralgia and nervousness" using electric treatment.

The modus operandi, said the Town Clerk, was to place a penny in the aperture at the top. Immediately there commenced a buzzing noise and when the right-hand handle was turned a needle swung round on an indicator. When it reached a certain point the buzzing ceased and a ball fell into position and, if used correctly, the player received an electric shock. Then if the ball ran down certain holes it produced checks in the value from 2d to a shilling - or nothing. There was no guarantee what the winner was going to receive.

Mr H. W. Lathom, defending, said the penny in the slot was merely to pay for the electricity, the ball was a secondary consideration, given free, for amusement only. He objected to the word "lost" if no check emerged, the user had merely received nothing for his penny. The machines, he pointed out, would be perfectly legal in a confectioner's shop or at a church bazaar.

The Town Clerk described the cases as a most feeble and transparent device to legalise a machine which in a public house was contrary to law.

Mr Lathom pointed out that a Judge of Appeal, sitting as the Chairman of a Divisional Court, had contended that having paid for the electricity, it was not gaming to use the machine.

Each licensee was fined 30 shillings, with costs of 7 shillings in two cases and £1 8s in the case of The Goat. Mr Lathom said there would be an appeal by The Goat.

It seems that magistrates were keen to convict on any hint of gambling. In another case, Harry Rogers, a youth, was charged with having games with cards in Barber's Lane on September 29th. He pleaded guilty and was fined 7s, including costs. He was allowed 14 days in which to pay.

https://www.worldwar1luton.com/blog-entry/dont-gamble-law

[bryans fan]

Found in my saved pictures from the web, not my machines.

[pennymachines]

Monarch Automatic Company's Electra with its Bull's eye target and moving pointer was an early (perhaps first) incarnation of the allwin shocker, and was therefore the first to be challenged by the authorities (as above). Clearly it was found wanting, but it didn't prevent other manufacturers from trying the same.
Monarch was also adding shockers to Mills bandits, and perhaps this ruse was their innovation.

The special pleading here is really quite ingenious, even the 'Monarch' company name seems contrived to confer a sense of royal approval.

This Apparatus being a Patented Article has passed the Scrutiny of the CROWN OFFICIALS and is in Conformity with the Law

As mentioned in the Luton case, it claimed to supply a great tonic, "cures headache, rheumatism, neuralgia and nervousness" but also says, "No Shock, No Danger." They really did want to have their cake and eat it. To my mind electric shocks are more cause of nervousness than cure.

[john t peterson]

Here is another one. It's attractively done but looks to be a knockoff from the original.

The top flash is obviously an aftermarket addition. It still provides a nasty little bite.

J Peterson
Thrice bitten in the USA