12 win clock
The Clock became a mainstay of the Bryans Works, selling in large numbers from its introduction (as the Sixwin Clock) in 1930, up until the 1970s. It was one of the few all-British games which offered some of the appeal of the proscribed one arm bandits. It is a pure gambling machine. The 'skill button' applies some braking to the spindle, but no effective control; it was just a sop to the Gaming Board. The game is a fruit machine in disguise. The three reels are replaced by two hands, the fruit symbols by Roman numerals and the handle by a key, creating the innocuous appearance of a clock. Insert a penny, wind up with the key and watch time fly, accompanied by the clanking of Bryan's unique inertial escapement timing mechanism. If the big hand lands on a number, you win the indicated amount. If the two hands land on 12 o'clock, twelve pennies plus the jackpot is paid. This is a rear-opening example. Later versions offered operator setting of payouts, front opening access to the mechanism and auto load jackpots. The mechanisms are exceptionally well built and robust. |
Bryans 1947
Amusement
This peculiar machine, robustly constructed in a heavy cast-aluminium case, is quite rare. Perhaps this is unsurprising in view of its eccentricity. The game play described on the instructions seems calculated to confuse all but the most attentive player. No doubt this was in part a consequence of designing around gaming restrictions. Mounting the play handle on the left was probably more accident of design than misconceived attempt to appeal to left-handed players. |
Thomas Catlow 1930s
Autofruit
Early version of this electro-mechanical continuous-running betting game. Bet on which symbol will come up next by placing a penny in one or more of the slots. Top prize is a Shilling on the bell. |
Jamieson 1960s
Bingola
One of a series of oak-cased 'flashers' made utilizing an abundant supply of cheap rotary relays made available as the General Post Office upgraded telephone switchgear.
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Jamieson 1960s
Bullion
The Bullion was the last all-mechanical incarnation of a type of gambling machine which predates the one arm bandit or three reeler. The first of the kind were large floor-standing, American-made games from before the turn of the century, with colourful roulette style wheels upon which you placed your bets. Later, less elaborate, counter-top versions (particularly the Caille Commercial) were common in British arcades, but were mostly worn out by the 1960s. With its five-way bets and robust, reliable mechanism, the Bullion filled a gap. The original Commercials had a maximum payout of 20D, against the Bullion's 12D (or 10p) which also introduced four no-win (zero) positions on the dial. The percentage returns were not bad though, thanks to the two twelve and three eight positions. |
Bryans 1963
Electrodart
Press the button and watch the arrow progress around the dartboard. Release the button when it reaches a high score for a payout. Unlike real darts, skill was not a factor as the machine was final arbiter of where the arrow stopped. |
Jamieson 1960s
Fair Play Totalisator
Attractive British revamp of an American three reel one armed bandit. |
Tom Boland 1930s
Fascination
The top section is in fact only a selector, a small window in the award card section seems to be the result of a predetermined wheel, much like a "stock broker". The award card says 'amusement only' as the results are predetermined and "you can't gamble on a certainty". |
SS Automatic Machine Co 1937
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