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Definitely an unusual one, this. I've checked through 5 German coin slot
books and elsewhere for some details. The name "Merkur" has been applied to several German machines over the years, but I haven't found this one.
The "Einwurf" lable just means "coin entry".
Tura was the main German manufacturer of American style bandits (originally, C M Schwarz, Leipzig). I think the mechs. are more or less copies of the Mills, in which case the Owners Pictorial Guide to the Mills Bell could be a helpful workshop manual. You'll find pennies for sale from the PennyMachines Spares shop. [No longer available - Site Admin.]

Thought you might be interested in the following which I saw recently for sale at in an American auction.
The plaque pictured on the back of the machine gives you your manufacturer: Automatenbau Rhein-Ruhr of Dusseldorf (Type Heros D Nr. 41268191). So this is the same "Merkur" mentioned on page 200 of Wenn Der Groschen Fallt.... I don't speak German but I think it says the machine was made in 1951, which sounds just right to me.

How did these Merkurs which have done service in the UK end up in the US? A British dealer shipping old slots to the States in the early '70s, I suspect.

Topic merged - site admin.

Unusual bandit on Ebay at the moment, and the only reason I worked out what it was is that another one is for sale at the Breker sale (bottom picture).

Not sure about the paint job and looks like it is missing the vendor knob. Still, if the rest is complete it would be different....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/One-Arm-Bandi ... 35c175b5eb

Breker description

Silent-Doppel-Jackpot German Slot Machine, 1933
Manufactured by: "C. M. Schwarz, Leipzig", mechanically operated 3-reel machine, without jackpot, wooden case with metal front, mechanism needs cleaning, with key. Einarmiger Bandit "Silent-Doppel-Jackpot", 1933

I've just had half a dozen messages and more photos exchanged with the vendor; seems a nice guy. We'll see if he adds them to his description.

You've seen one recently Tom, in my front room, remember?

The paint bothers me as he's used a metallic spray and then laquered it. Could be a lot of work involved.
He reckons the skill stops are only for show and the internals are missing for the vendor.

Still, as machines, they rarely crop up.

Topic merged - site admin.

Hi there,
TURA was one of the biggest producers of slot machines in the '30s in Germany, located in Leipzig.
They started as "C.M.Schwarz" and Mr. Schwarz was the general importer for Jennings machines in Europe.
Later, as TURA, they started to build their own machines.

Still not really clear is:
- did they rebuild old American machines?
- did they build machines and export them (and Mills sold them as their own)?
- did they use the know-how from Jennings & Mills to copy and steal ideas ?

Here is a sample - a collector friend in Germany bought a HEROS D -
this was a machine sold by "Automatenbau Rhein Rhur" - after the 2nd World War.
In the ad, you can see that it is a remodelled machine from German Slots before the 2nd WW.

In that case, the HEROS D was a TURA SILENT DOPPEL-JACKPOT Model 1933
- and before? Was it a MILLS SILENT Bell?

I add some pictures and would be happy for any input...


Regards Marco.

...sorry, did not see the other posts...

@ Badpenny - seems like your model is the "TURA GOLDSIEGEL"
Not sure as the picture is very small...

paulbohlmann wrote:...sorry, did not see the other posts...
...not sure as the picture is very small...

I've updated BP's post with a bigger picture from his piece about the bandit in the Arena, and I've merged a much earlier post about the Merkur bandit made by Automatenbau Rhein-Ruhr.

Here's a Tura Heros I sold at Coventry 2010 (similar to the advert you posted). I wonder how it's progressed.

And a couple more Heros and a Merkur from my hard-drive:

Thanks pennymachines !
Your machine is the "normal TURA Silent" - see picture below - how nice colored it was once...

Interested in pricing? The Silent was sold for 620,- RM (Reichsmark) and the Silent with douple Jackpot was sold for 685,- RM - that was pretty much money at this time, if you consider that a Bajazzo was sold for around 80,- RM.

BPs machine is indeed the "GOLDSIEGEL" a very rare and nice model - it gives an extra medal for a special combination. I'm really jealous!

The "MERKUR" was produced in 1955, and there was a "MERKUR Favorit" build in 1956, also conversions from old three-wheel-machines by "Automatenbau Rhein Ruhr".

After the WW2 they had to change the machines - playtime was minimum 15 seconds and the maximum payout was 1,- Mark (so that is why you normaly would have in a machine after WW2 another clock and a not working Jackpot, also often figures instead of fruits.

Regards Marco

Great info Paul! I didn't realize there were so many versions.

Do you know what date the GOLDSIEGEL was introduced?
And what about the third picture in my last post - looks like the TURA Silent, but with a double jackpot?

Fantastic feedback Paul, it's not often anyone is jealous of me, for any reason ...... I think my Tura Belln is around 1935? (which is just after half past seven at night).

Badpenny

And what about the third picture in my last post - looks like the TURA Silent, but with a double jackpot?

Yes, it looks like the TURA SILENT DOPPELJACKPOT mentioned in my other post....

I think my Tura Belln is around 1935

The "Goldsiegel" was first presented at the autumn-fair in 1933.
See below a report from this fair...
I try to translate it:
The "last scream" is the new Arcade Slot Machine "Tura Goldsiegel", a machine at its best, hundred percent in mechanics and function. This machine pays in addition to the known winnings in individual cases the "Golden Tura" token as special prize, an innovation that will bring a lot of friends to this new slot machine. This technical masterpiece stands alone, in perfection of form and beauty.

Also a Picture from the TURA booth at this fair.
Do not worry, about all the flags... that was 1933, it was Germany and TURA was a very German company. Eventually the director, Mr.Schwarz, died at a Bomber attack in April 1945....

Regards Marco.

Now that is a interesting photo.

Yes BP, I remember your machine now - sounds like you have a good un there... better improve on my bartering skills. The first machine in this thread is so similar to the one you are after in Australia - the Middlehurst Coronet.

Very intriguing photo, the company must have been keen on the Nazi party or at least paid lip service to it. I know the national socialists banned slot machines in Germany but I don't know when (I'm sure someone can tell me). The company must have been well p--- of when they did. Clearly they started up again after the war. Were they subject to the short life span rules that other German makers were subject to (I think 4 years then the machine had to be scrapped or exported)? Or did they not re-start till that rule was abolished?

I don't think I'd want to play a machine in the front row. Those stands! They look so flimsy.

Middlehurst Coronet T-F?
Though I do seem to recall having owned a particulary special one once.
Either went out on hard rubbish day or is one of them out in the backyard, enjoying Melbourne's '4 seasons in one day' weather

treefrog wrote:......... The first machine in this thread is so similar to the one you are after in Australia - the Middlehurst Coronet.

Really, do you think so? Can't say I had noticed!

coppinpr wrote:Very intriguing photo. The company must have been keen on the Nazi party or at least paid lip service to it. I know the national socialists banned slot machines in Germany but I don't know when (I'm sure someone can tell me). The company must have been well p--- of when they did.

Having lived for a few years in a Dictator ruled Police State I'd suggest anybody who depended upon a trouble free business day without legalised thugs disrupting everything would be more than happy to flap a few flags around.

When I researched my Tura Bell (Story in The Arena) somebody (can't remember who) told me that it was Mr Hitler himself upon his appointment to Chancellor in 1933 who unexpectedly legalised slot machines. The bigger story being that his plans for the immediate future would require inordinate quantities of aluminium, the purchase of which, without a domestic reason would attract interest from his neighbours who were already curiously stroking their chins over some of his activities which contravened the Treaty of Versailles like building an air force when Germany was only allowed gliders etc etc.
It seems after a few years production, the law was changed making them all illegal and consequently confiscated, along with other various home products that could feed the war machine.

I sold my second machine, a Heros, to an American Collector who told me that Mills had been active in helping Schwarz in setting up (probably under licence?) and that many of the first batch were either made in USA and exported as complete machines or parts to be assembled in Germany. None of them staying in the USA so they are rare over there, but being a serious Mills collector he wanted one to fill the gap.

How much of the above is twaddle I do not know. I doubt we'll get to the bottom of it even if Adolf turns up at Coventry for us to ask. The last time anyone representing him visited Coventry they got as close as 8,000 feet and spoilt everybody's sleep. I don't think he had a particular interest in slots just the materials that went into them.

andydotp wrote:Middlehurst Coronet T-F?
Though I do seem to recall having owned a particulary special one once.
Either went out on hard rubbish day or is one of them out in the backyard, enjoying Melbourne's '4 seasons in one day' weather

Better bring it back inside Andy, in case Hitler gets to hear about it .......

badpenny wrote:

treefrog wrote:......... The first machine in this thread is so similar to the one you are after in Australia - the Middlehurst Coronet.

Really, do you think so? Can't say I had noticed!

I see what froggy's getting at - all those soft curves. The Coronet wins the beauty contest though.

ANDY....... ANDY!!!!

Quick check your back garden I think Mr P's knicked it.

NURSEY ...... NURSEY!!!!

He's out of bed again.