Hi Top variant

[treefrog]

This machine briefly appeared on eBay before their police removed it. It was located in Leeds. Although nothing initially unusual about it, I noticed that the casting lines and the award panel were different. I think I had seen something similar a long time ago, but definitely not the usual and I suspect probably not Mills, but not seeing the inside, who knows?

Looked a tidy machine with original paint.

Another unusual Hi Top appeared on Shpock recently, in a similar style to the casino dollar machine. Looked like a British modified club/casino machine.

[aristomatic]

Have seen a couple of the Lucky Horseshoe machines before. One had top sign as yours has but was in poorer condition. I didn't see this one​ until it was sold.

I have never bought off shpock so I'm not sure of the process but it had sold to you but had I don't know maybe half dozen offers less than the sell price of one hundred. Nice buy.

Never seen that blue casting set before. It looks ugly around the award card.

Edit - is the casting around the award card an add on? Just held in place by the two screws? Only looking on my cheap tablet and no glasses with me today either! Two original looking machines though makes a change.

[treefrog]

I quite like that blue Hi Top, it is different, anyway not doing another road trip.

The Horseshoe, was the first machine I bought on Shpock, especially given machines are now removed from there as well. Problem is, it is blind bidding and totally reliant on the seller reaching out to you. This was placed at a far too low price of £100, so I pitched in what I thought it was worth and did not expect to win to be honest, especially as it was in the Brecon Beacons. To my surprise I ended up being the highest bidder. Bloody miles away, still spent an hour or two on the moors.... The machine was sold by Mar Matic to the lady owner who bought it for her kids in Margate in the early eighties. All the electric award stuff is in it, but probably not been plugged in for more than 40 years.... Not sure if I will try, we will see. Similar to those other '60s special award feature mods seen with the horseshoe on the first reel.

[widget2k4]

Had a feeling it had to be you that beat me tom. haha

[pennymachines]

Ah yes, I can see it now.

[bedbug1]

Hi I bought the blue hi top from Leeds and have only just had time to have a proper good look at it. I have got a few questions about the castings and the inside of the cabinet.
I took the award plate off and the casting is cut out behind it. Why would this be? Is it possibly for a light-up award card? All the castings are stamped MLB.
My other question is why are the jackpot, handle mechanism, bonnet latches, mechanism latches and the metal side panels all plated gold? I have only seen silver ones before. Any information would be appreciated.

[treefrog]

On the basis the few of us that commented on this machine had not seen one before, not sure we can give you a certain answer. I wonder if this is one of the early Bell-O-Matic machine, as they moved to the wider award card and did an option to light up the card from the inside. Love the paint, looks original. I think it looks a lovely machine. Wha did the badge say on the side, I assume a suppliers label

[bedbug1]

Hi treefrog it's just the operator's sticker on the side. The lady who I bought it off told me she had bought it in the 1970s from Bath, so that makes sense with the sticker. I think it's been in storage for the last 20 years. Definitely going to keep it.