Bell-Fruit Manufacturing Co. bandits

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coppinpr
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Re: bell fruit Nevada mech on Ebay

Post by coppinpr »

This Bell fruit machine has a similar mech. I always assumed they were built from old Pace mechs.


Pictures from the Bell-Fruit section of www.penny-arcade.info
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treefrog
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Re: bell fruit Nevada mech on Ebay

Post by treefrog »

They are a bit optimistic expecting £178 for an old mech missing bits. I would expect the whole machine for that, in fact that is closer to what they go for...

For some reason these machines have never appealed to me, but if I had one it would be the smaller rotary escalator version, with good chrome of course and non flaking graphics..the handles are the best bit
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Re: Bell-Fruit Manufacturing Co. bandits

Post by pennymachines »

Another Model 7-T Tic Tac Toe seen on eBay a few weeks ago.
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Re: Bell-Fruit Manufacturing Co. bandits

Post by pennymachines »

This Bell-Fruit Gemeni Jack sold for £240 at Arthur Johnson & Sons last week.
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Re: Bell-Fruit Manufacturing Co. bandits

Post by aristomatic »

Ad
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coppinpr
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Watney's Red Barrel!!

Post by coppinpr »

Topic moved & merged - Site Admin.

I haven't bought a machine in ages...but I just couldn't turn this one down. I've always regretted selling a Bell-Fruit "Flowers Brewery" themed machine some years ago and have had my eye out for a replacement, and I've been lucky enough to buy this classic "Watneys Red Barrel" version. The chrome looks good and I can make the new glasses. I have high hopes for it.
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Re: Watney's Red Barrel!!

Post by treefrog »

Looks prime and luckily the chrome looks a cracker…..good luck |/XX\|
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Re: Watney's Red Barrel!!

Post by marivo10 »

Nice slot, is it from the sixties?
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coppinpr
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Re: Watney's Red Barrel!!

Post by coppinpr »

I now have the machine, and I love it. It works fine but needs a good clean, the chrome is great and only needs a polish, I might spray the case. I don't remember the other one I used to own having this payout set up. only one slide, a single barrel shifts the slide halfway and pays 2 (advertised as "doubles your money" ) three of a kind shifts the slide all the way and hits a switch firing a solenoid and paying a token.No other payouts. loads of 6d coins and tokens inside.
Thought Id make a start on the belly glass and,as usual, went on the finish it. :lol: A terrible beer for sure..but an icon of the 60's and 70's !!CHEERS!!
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geofflove
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Re: Watney's Red Barrel!!

Post by geofflove »

Good job on the glass. Looks great. Must get myself a bandit some time. I have never owned one!
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brigham
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Re: Watney's Red Barrel!!

Post by brigham »

Beautifully done, the artwork.

I have the Double Diamond version, and the artwork looks good...

Until the light comes on!
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Re: Watney's Red Barrel!!

Post by coppinpr »

is it from the sixties?
I think nearer to 1970
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Re: Watney's Red Barrel!!

Post by dutchboy »

My compliments paul👍
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coppinpr
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Re: Watney's Red Barrel!!

Post by coppinpr »

Now the top glass is finished the wording is clear, and it is interesting in its own way. A 5/- token, but only to be used in that pub, so with Red Barrel being a little under 2/6 at the time you got two pints - not too bad a prize really for a 6d play, although of course, the 2 pints didn't cost the pub that much, so it could be considered a good deal for both parties. Interesting that you didn't get the 2 x 6d usually paid by the first barrel if you won a token. :lol:
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Re: Bell-Fruit Manufacturing Co. bandits

Post by coppinpr »

Finally found time to finish this machine, and it's as good a machine as I expected. I made two new glasses, sprayed the case with a special can spray I like to use that gives a good impression of a powder coat and serviced the mech. everything works at it should including the lights and the solenoid powered token payout. one new lock to fit and it's finished, you just have to love that particular set of reel strips. As good a late bandit as there is in my view.

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Re: Bell-Fruit Manufacturing Co. bandits

Post by dutchboy »

Well that’s looking good ! Well done, enjoy it !THUMBS!
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coppinpr
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Re: Bell-Fruit Manufacturing Co. bandits

Post by coppinpr »

thanks Hans :cool:
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clubconsoles
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Re: Bell-Fruit Manufacturing Co. bandits

Post by clubconsoles »

great restoration Paul!
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Re: Bell-Fruit Manufacturing Co. bandits

Post by highfield »

I love your machine. My memories of Watney's Red Barrel aren't good. :#:
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Re: Bell-Fruit Manufacturing Co. bandits

Post by dickywink »

Haha, My dad worked as a driver and drayman for Watney's... He originally worked for Steward and Patterson's in Norwich before they were taken over by Watney's.
During the summer holidays as a 7 year old... I used to sit in the middle of the lorry cab while my Dad did 20 pub deliveries around Norfolk and Lincolnshire. so it was from Norwich to Spalding... What I do remember is on these journeys, and many years after that, my dad and his mate would take the barrels down into the cellar and once finished the delivery they would get half of beer and a packet of fags each... Well my dad did not smoke so our cupboard under the stairs was full of cigarettes and when my dad needed a favour... it was his go to place to make it happen... but on the down side my dad drove his lorry and did 10 pints of beer every day... Can't believe that would happen today...
The reason for typing these memories are that last week I went into a bar in Manchester at the Oxford Road railway station and they still had an original Watney's barrel on the bar... Have not seen one like this for years...
All the best... Dicky
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