Mills B-O-N-U-S, Horse Head etc.

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markymark
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Mills B-O-N-U-S, Horse Head etc.

Post by markymark »

Hi Guys,

Been reading the workings of the BONUS part found at the top of a few Mills slots (well, I don't get out much!!), I found the whole subject amazing... mechanically it pops up the letters B-O-N-U-S one by one, in sequence... I've read the instructions and patent and for the life of me I can't make out how it manages this!!!!! How does it know only to pop up the letter O after its already displayed the B.

Does anyone have a better explanation, or even a video of this working... now comes the cheeky bit... I don't suppose anyone owns such a machine (I think one called Horses Head???? had this BONUS thing), and if you own one, any chance of me popping round and witnessing the working! I'm in Herts, but willing to travel just to see how it works.... If I could find one to buy I would!!!

So anyone fancy a visit from me, I'll buy you a drink or 2, thanks!

Mark
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Re: B-O-N-U-S Slots, Horse Head etc.. How they Work?

Post by coin-op »

There are apparently two types of Bonus mechanism. I understand that the early version was superseded by a more reliable version, though I think the earlier version is the more desirable (correct me if I'm wrong on that). As to explaining it, I'll give others a chance first.
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mills
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Re: B-O-N-U-S Slots, Horse Head etc.. How they Work?

Post by mills »

Hello,
sorry for my bad english... I'm french !!
I can certainly help you to understand how work Bonus et New Bonus.
Effectivly, there are 2 BONUS mechs. The first mech was introduce in 1937 and was modified in 1939 for the New Bonus model. It will be the same after for hi top Bonus and for the Sega Bonus.
We can see the difference between the 2 mechs in many points :
- the first model had award card which pay 10 tokens for 2 cherry & bell / lemon
- the star wheel have only 10 stops for the first model.... but it's a double ten stops !
This mech is a FUTURY mech modified. By an ingenious system, stop arms move all the pull.
You can see pictures to understand on my web site : http://joiret.com/mills/bonus/horse-bonus

In Europe, we find many time the first model because France import many BONUS (new attactive game), but french law forbiden slot in August 1937, BONUS were sold in other country...
My machine came from the Monte Carlo Casino... (so don't came from France !)

Sorry it's in french but with google translator you'll be have an idea of what I said ! :P
Last edited by mills on Mon Jun 20, 2011 3:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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badpenny
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Re: B-O-N-U-S Slots, Horse Head etc.. How they Work?

Post by badpenny »

Thanks for posting that and letting us see your website, it looks good.
Welcome to Penny Machines.

Badpenny
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Re: B-O-N-U-S Slots, Horse Head etc.. How they Work?

Post by malcymal »

Well I understood you fine, welcome.. Great site !!!! :cool:
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mills
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Re: B-O-N-U-S Slots, Horse Head etc.. How they Work?

Post by mills »

Thank you for my welcome on this web site :roll:
I made a mistake for the link. This is the good link to understand how work the first BONUS mech.
http://joiret.com/mills/bonus/fonctionnement
Last edited by mills on Mon Jun 20, 2011 3:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
malcymal
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Re: B-O-N-U-S Slots, Horse Head etc.. How they Work?

Post by malcymal »

Stunning work......you are a master craftsman :cool:
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mills
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Re: B-O-N-U-S Slots, Horse Head etc.. How they Work?

Post by mills »

I don't think I'm a master craftsman. I like good restoration :P !
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Re: B-O-N-U-S Slots, Horse Head etc.. How they Work?

Post by bandit_doctor »

Marky .. If you are ever up in Glasgow you are more than welcome to pop in and see the early one in action .
This has got to be one of the best mechs i have ever worked on ..simple and yet ingenious :idea:
Will i let you strip it down ..prob not ,LOL :D
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Re: B-O-N-U-S Slots, Horse Head etc.. How they Work?

Post by andy g »

If you follow the following link (http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Vin ... iew=videos)
You can watch a video of a Bonus slot working, he also has videos for the Mills Futurity and
Future Pay. Some nice machines, about 50 videos in total.

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Do You Own a B-O-N-U-S type Slot Machine?

Post by markymark »

("B-O-N-U-S Slots, Horse Head etc.. How they Work?" & "Do You Own a B-O-N-U-S type Slot Machine?" topics merged - Site Admin.)

Sorry to be a pain, I think I asked questions about these wonderful mechanisms before... I think they appeared on certain Mills Hi Tops and one called Horse Head??

I am fascinated by how the BONUS letters are made to appear in sequence (all mechanically done! WoW!), and in the right order!!! I've read every bit of literature on the workings, but still can't quite get to grips.. mainly because the instructions written are quite poor and the pictures almost impossible to study, too dark and not clear! (I'm talking about the Owners Pictorial Guide books!).
Can someone either write out or photo how the thing works... Or if you own one.. any chance of me popping round and filming the workings.. there's a beer in it for you!!!
If I had pots of money I would have bought the Hi Top on Ebay this week just for the BONUS part!!! But way outta my budget!

Any advice much appreciated. Cheers. By the way, I live in Hertfordshire, and don't mind a day trip....

Mark
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Re: Do You Own a B-O-N-U-S type Slot Machine?

Post by willborl »

One on ebay at the moment. What do you think it will get to, only 6 hours left.

Item number 160406964818
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Re: Do You Own a B-O-N-U-S type Slot Machine?

Post by treefrog »

I already put a low starting bid in,,,,,,not sure......
I reckon it will continue to go up as they do not come up often...

It would have been nice if it was original 6d with original escalator and why it does not have the original handle is strange. Lots of changes !PUZZLED!

The last Bonus I saw in the UK on Ebay was the 1Franc, completely stripped Horse's Head, which I believe was bought by George Strathclyde....Now that was tempting, another one of those regrets as it looked all there and even a bit more desirable........another one of those make a decision moments..... :dammit:
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markymark
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Re: Do You Own a B-O-N-U-S type Slot Machine?

Post by markymark »

That picture of the Horse Head Slot machine is beautiful... I've never seen these or the BONUS models come up on ebay before... As for the one on ebay tonight, I think it'll reach the 900 mark!

Thanks for the replies so far... still no offers from owners yet... As well as the beer, I'll even wash your car while I'm there.. how's that sound!!!!
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Re: Do You Own a B-O-N-U-S type Slot Machine?

Post by kenson »

markymark wrote:Thanks for the replies so far... still no offers from owners yet... As well as the beer, I'll even wash your car while I'm there.. how's that sound!!!!
Hi Mark,

I have just sent you a PM.

Fortunately for you I sold my car to buy the machine you want a look at, unfortunately my wife insists that you spend an hour or so in the kitchen cleaning the oven! :HaHa: Fair trade?
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Re: B-O-N-U-S Slots, Horse Head etc.. How they Work?

Post by chris rideout »

Mills wrote:Hello,
sorry for my bad english... I'm french !!
I can certainly help you to understand how work Bonus et New Bonus.
Effectivly, there are 2 BONUS mechs. The first mech was introduce in 1937 and was modified in 1939 for the New Bonus model. It will be the same after for hi top Bonus and for the Sega Bonus.
Allo and welcome to les enthusiasts anglais! The Sega "Lite Up" Bonus was different from both of the Mills machines. It did not have the separate letters B-O-N-U-S on the first reel. It had one symbol which was a red panel with "ADVANCE BONUS" printed in white letters on it. This was the 4th symbol on the 1st reel tape and it was in place of a cherry. The top panel lit up the letters and when the "S" illuminated, you would win 18 coins. On average, this would happen every 100 plays.
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Mills Horse Head Bonus

Post by bandito »

Topics merged - Site Admin.

On ebay at the moment, nice looking machine, but the highest bidder, as I write has a feedback of 4.0% positive, 1 retracted???? etc, etc. Looks a bit fishy :burp: not one to pay up if they win my guess dirtdog
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MILLS-HORSE-HEAD- ... 35b0ee7a4c
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treefrog
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Re: MILLS HORSE HEAD BONUS

Post by treefrog »

Yes not sure if this bidder is real....I am the under bidder and am sure if I keep bidding this person will as well!!!......The last Horse's Head on ebay went for the same money it is at now... It looks ok, but the only thing that is not right and I may have missed other bits is the handle is a Hi Top dagger handle... These machines used two variants, early ones have plain blade type handles and later ones the dagger handle you see on other half top type machines...It is a modified 5C machine as stated on 3D and with most 3D machines I have seen the escalator has been chopped to be a roll down type as this is.....
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Re: MILLS HORSE HEAD BONUS

Post by bandito »

You are right. The escalator has been changed so the coins just roll down one at a time (so it has been messed with).
Q: Is it an easy fix to correct the escalator so it works properly? Or are the coins just too thick?
As for the last Horse Head on ebay, I was the under bidder on that one. Would have bid more for the other one, but not enough money in the bank back then, plus it was in Scotland or thereabouts and was on 1French Franc. It would have meant an overnight stay for me if I won it !!>*<!!
Guess this one is worth a bit more as it has the original paint and plays on 3d!!!

Probably cost me the same in diesel to travel to Stockport today, as it would have to travel to Scotland a few years ago....... !!GRUMP!!
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treefrog
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Re: MILLS HORSE HEAD BONUS

Post by treefrog »

"Q: Is it an easy fix to correct the escalator so it works properly? Or are the coins just too thick? "

Every 3D machine I have seen is roll-down, I guess for one simple reason, the coin is not round and probably jams easily. Yes, you can change it back as they cut the bottom part of the escalator plate and reverse pointing downwards and bolt together, also they remove the coin slides so the coin rolls down. You would need to replace these. 3D escalators are generally 6D, but with additional spacers between the plates. I wouldn't bother. If anything I would change to 6D, which would need all the slides, posts and guides changed, if you have the bits, otherwise leave the same.

The last one was a nice machine and I think an earlier one....one of my regrets. Having said all this I think I prefer the Hi Top bonus; a more pretty machine.
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