Ahrens Jolly Fireman Racer identified

[tim575]

Well, the mystery plot about the Fireman Racer from Morphy auctions just thickened, a lot. As I often do I requested the keys be mailed to me instead of giving them to the truck pickup driver (less chance to lose them). On the label for the keys was "Einwurf German fireman rescue amusement arcade game machine" Although clearly an Ahrens, I think that description may be due to a label above the coin slot. I had previously assumed the conversion to be something other than an old English penny and removal of 2nd coin back feature was done in the US (common on imported machines like this, usually to US quarter). But going back and looking at high res pic, shows label above coin slot has printed on it "EINWURF Fr. 1.--". If I believe my Google searches that is German for INSERT but is a French 1 Franc coin indication, a very odd combination. However, history says during German occupied France 1940-1944 they used a special coin instead of the German Deutsche Mark, a Travall Famille Patrie 1 Franc 23 mm dia coin, only during the war years.

When I get the machine I will need to try and figure out if the modifications, label, coin slot width etc, matches up with a 1940s vintage. If it does, to preserve that bit of history I will leave it that way, and instead gather up some of those specific coins to use with it, as well as make an informational history plaque for it. If true I would guess maybe the machine was originally converted to a French 1 Franc coin (about equal to 2 US cents in 1940) for use in a French arcade and stayed in use during WWII somewhere in France. I expect some of the forum members in Europe may have better ideas. Let me know if this theory seems valid, or any info on Ahrens Jolly Fireman racers seen in France.

CoinSlotLabel.jpg (19.61 KiB) Viewed 1562 times

[pennymachines]

Interesting... I wonder if it came from the same source as Lot 3161, described as, German "The Haunted Churchyard" working model arcade machine. It strikes me this too is quite likely English.

[JC]

More than likely, it's a Kraft isn't it?

[pennymachines]

The plain cabinet made me think so too, but it's very similar to the Watchman
discussed here which you concluded was Bollands (like a similarly cased Guillotine).

Sorry about the topic derail.

[tim575]

As received my Fireman Racer not only had the Morphy toe tag, but still had the toe tag from when it was previously sold at auction in 2013. That is 2 UK machines I picked up in the last year that appeared to have been untouched since being sold last in 2013. Still had Euro style line cord and bayonet socket with bulb made in Austria. No US coins in it even from being in two US auctions, misc. European coins in it and two different types/sizes of tokens. Only the larger size Token works which was the most common coin in it. The label with German and fr. on it is modern, I think the prior theory of German occupied France is no longer valid, and currently it does not work with 1fc coins. Coin mech. is modified, and made to bounce the coin off a bolt added to the 2nd coin return slide over into the left side coin box slide so if the coin is too light or too heavy it won’t play. I have no photos of an original racer mech. to compare with.
Larger token is about the diameter of a US quarter, but made of thinner Aluminum, text on it is “Retonio’s MAGIC CASINO” This was one of the financial enterprises of Swiss magician Retonio Breitenmoser and possibly this machine was in his “catacombs of oddities” downstairs from Magic Casino and ran on those tokens. I am unable to find any photos of the catacombs of oddities to see if there was a Jolly Fireman racer in it. Maybe someone in the forum visited it while it was open? https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/dre ... of-wonders

[moonriver]

Here you go Tim, hopefully you can see the details of the mech that you need to

[tim575]

Yes, that helps. Looks like I have a few pieces missing.

[tim575]

The Fireman racer is now cleaned up and working. I replaced a bottom back panel that had been kicked in and covered poorly by previous repair. Also had a custom wood marquee frame made for the top in the style these had. I choose not to try and redo the coin mech as too much of the 2nd coin control mech. was missing, so instead documented the new configuration in the marquee art done in similar style to other fireman racers. I also confirmed there was one in the collection of the Musée Mécanique, Dan told me it also was configured for single coin only play due to gambling restrictions for machines in public use in CA (and other places in the USA) The reference to there being 5 originals was from an internet reference on it, I am not sure on how many, from more recent searches it could be more like 8 original and 2 repro, but don't want to redo the artwork now.

JFR-Restored.jpg (1.34 MiB) Viewed 541 times

JFR-newMarquee.jpg (1.64 MiB) Viewed 541 times

[moonriver]

Lovely job!