Old Columbia 10 Cent Slot Machine

[rogersrr]

Hello all,
I was doing some research on a slot machine I picked up today and ran across your very coo website. The machine I picked up is a Columbia 10 cent and I dont know a lot about it. It has a Groetchen Mfg Co, Chicago USA No. A-200 mechanism and the woodwork was done by Churchill. I think the serial number is 18845 as it is stamped on the wood case and the mechanism. I am finding quite a few nickel and penny models simular to this but not a lot of dime models. Does anyone know about when this was made, the model name for this machine and how many were made? Also where I might locate a manual for it. Everything seems to work as it should but the fan runs eratic every once in a while. Any info you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Richard
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h116/rogersrr/slot1.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h116/rogersrr/slot2.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h116/rogersrr/slot3.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h116/rogersrr/slot4.jpg

[CVslots]

Looks good! I don't know of a manual source offhand, but will keep you in mind of I run across one!

[rogersrr]

Thanks CVSlot for the reply. Any ideas on that sticky fan? Are they hard to take apart and lube?

[jay]

Wait for other replies before you attempt this.

The one thing I can tell you is NOT to use WD40. When these things were created no such lubricant existed.
I have some antique clocks and the guy that serviced mine told me that if I used WD40 it will run well for a while but the other oils and such will gunk up and then cause problems because WD40 is also a degreaser.

There are a few members that have these older units.

[ROCKET]

Best way to find year is find the original PAT date .stamped on the metal mechanism somewhere or ID plate --
 google the date that will give you the exact year it was made . with all products patened that year .

not saying your slot was not modified or restored at some point with some part that was worn out it had to of been .


then take it from there on the google search for manuals production runs etc .
there is a web site for real one arm bandits etc . i cant think of it right now .but your search will bring it right up .

[cp]

The Groetchen    Columbia machine you have was manufactured from     1939 to  1950.   They're an  "ok"  machine... but due to design and use of pot metal...they can be somewhat of a problem child.