Buchanan 'The Australia' identified

[gameswat]

These are definitely Aust made, though copied from earlier US machines. This was written about them by Bob in an earlier thread on Aust made machines. Though he doesn't mention that they also turn up in cast alloy cases as well. Australian manufactured coin op machines. I'd guess that Nutt and Muddle purchased them during the 1950s to operate or resell themselves, as machines of any kind were rare and impossible to import because of post wartime trade restrictions that ran a long time.

This trade stimulator gambling machine was made by a Sydney game manufacturer A.O. Buchanan of whom not much is known. Copied from and looking like a machine from the 1800s, it was made by Buchanan in 1937. Some were chrome plated as this one was; others were copper plated with a Florentine Bronze finish. It was a copy of the Little Duke, a trade stimulator that was the third machine made by Mills of Chicago in 1898. A version without the curved edges was made by the American Royal Novelty Company as the Royal Trader and then by Mills Novelty Company as the Mills Trader in 1904. The Australian machine simplified the betting variations into a more basic version by adding the name “The Australia” to the casting where the various gaming options were illustrated and relevant coin entries were on the original machines. Interestingly enough, the lovely designs for the cabinets for all these machines were taken from those used by the Chicago Cash Register Company on their cash registers in the early-mid 1890s, most likely a case of the designer recycling earlier successful designs of his or hers.

[treefrog]

Knew I had seen these. Below* is a thread of another guy who found two in a shed.... Unfortunately, someone removed some of the pictures, except one of a top marquee. Don’t look the same machines as plated.
*Now merged above - Site Admin.

Nice find.

[gameswat]

Cam I forgot to mention rarity. These are by far the most common trade stimulator to turn up in Aust, made here or imported. I've never kept count, but I've probably seen at least 20 turn up and they keep being found every few years. Which for any machine in Australia is a huge survival rate! They must've copied a lot of them for so many to survive. And probably helped that they looked so old fashioned even when new, so maybe people saved them as they thought they were already well on the way to antique? In his book "Vintage Trade Stimulators & Counter Games" author Dick Bueschel states "Buchanan made the games off and on until new poker machines were made in Aust after WW2".

[bob]

As Gameswat writes, these machines turn up regularly in Australia. One has turned up recently here in Victoria in quite good condition with playing cards for symbols. Some were beautifully plated in a Florentine Bronze finish.
I'll attach a couple of photos of a Chicago Cash Register Company's cash register with the original design later used on the American and Australian trade stimulators which I noticed in the book The Incorruptible Cashier by Richard L Crandall and Sam Robins.
I think I was lucky to spot the design similarity to the coin op machines from the photo in the book. Probably because I had an "The Australia" that I walked past at least half a dozen times every day.

[pennymachines]

I'm confused - the castings on the cash register look so different from the Australia. Were there models?

Lot 58

[bob]

I am not suggesting that they are exactly the same designs, but to me they seem to be the work of the same designer and are a reworking of material that he or she has previously used on the cash registers. Other people may not agree.

[hottoddy]

Here's a Chicago Cash Register with similar castings.

[gameswat]

PM, this might help you see it. Though cash register is hard to spot the cherubs at the base. They look identical to me, and this Aust casting is a second generation copy at least! Nicely spotted Bob.

[camact]

Thanks so much for replying bob, gameswat and treefrog - you guys are a wealth of knowledge. The reason I know of a definite Nutt and Muddle relationship with these machines is that both the Nutt and Muddle families came into my Dad's service station (and Grandfather before that) in Sydney. I vividly remember a pile of these old machines and other models piled up on the lower floor of the garage building. Unfortunately the building has long been demolished. I intend approaching the National Museum of Australia to see if they are interested in restoring and displaying one or both machines if they are donated. Thanks again.

[pennymachines]

I've added the information from this topic to the Arena Pokies piece, plus various snippets gleaned about Apex Amusement Co. Pty. Ltd., Ace-Hi Amusement Co. Pty Ltd. (Vic Walker Mfg. Co.) and Australian Engineers Metal Stampers Pty. Ltd.