Woodward Allmaster Allwin

[JC]

After 30+ years of collecting, I didn't think there was an allwin out there that I hadn't seen, in some form or another, even if only a picture. Indeed, I've owned many dozens of allwins over the years. But this caught my eye on ebay a few days ago.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195657960334

I've downloaded a couple of pictures for prosperity, as the ebay link won't last forever. At first sight, nothing out of the ordinary, although it does have a weird trigger, which I'm pretty sure I've seen elsewhere in the past. But now look at the mech. on the backboard - what really grabbed my attention is the payout linkage. I've never encountered anything like this on any other allwin. What I find really puzzling is that it doesn't seem to achieve anything that a more conventional arrangement does. Anyone seen anything like this?

[treefrog]

I did see this and wondered what the round hole had been for. Maybe backlit at some stage... My first guess was Shefras, but there is a maker name on the front....F Woodward London. Interesting as on the forum there are a few links to this name, A Freddie Woodward who designed an escalator for Shefras and a fortune teller attributed to Woodward... Maybe the same.

[JC]

Yes, I wondered about the big hole but noticed there is no evidence that there was ever any kind of light fitting in the past, unless the light was screwed to the back of the machine.

[coppinpr]

I'm no allwin expert on Allwins, and you two are, but could it be possible that the big hole is related to the Shefras machines that needed holes cut in the middle? (spare unused backboards perhaps) as far as I can tell the hole is in exactly the same position as the hole on the "Time Limit". I've never owned one so can't check the size, might be totally different. The really interesting thing about the hole is that they went to the trouble of cutting the metal backplate as well as the wooden backboard, why bother if there was no intention of using the hole for (in this case at least) a light? The metalwork on the ball gallery is interesting, defiantly not Shefras (as far as I can see they never used that shape), but many others did, With Shefars being such a large supplier of spare parts it is possible that they did sell this sort of ironmongery. The door is partly shaped on the glass edges, like the Shefras machines.
There has to be a link with Shefras I think

[arrgee]

Very interesting allwin mech. My guess is that the hole was for a back-light which could have been fixed to the back of the cabinet in order that the cable did not foul anything when the door was open, also would make it easier to take the door off for maintenance.

[pennymachines]

I think so too - just a permanent light up in the centre to attract players. Interesting how the payout mechanism is quite pared down compared with the usual.

[daveslot]

I think this is an early Olly Whales. I have one with a similar mech, sort of...

[arrgee]

I think this is an early Olly whales

Those were my thoughts as well Dave. As we know, OW acquired a lot of BMCo parts when BMCo closed. The rocking ball release lever with its vertical wire is a style that BMCo typically used on a lot of their mechs and the orange backflash is also very akin to a BMCo orange backflash.

[pennymachines]

Isn't it made by F Woodward, or am I missing something?

[arrgee]

That's what makes this hobby interesting. Was the machine made by Woodward or were the constituent parts supplied to Woodward by other manufacturers? Is the name a pseudonym?
All very interesting