Mills Black Beauty Slot Machine

[collecture]

A friend wanted me to take a look at his machine the other day. I brought it home and figure out why the nickels were jamming the mech and got it working pretty good.
I was wondering if anybody knew where I could get a key for the jackpot lock and a manual?
LMK

[Pat Pixley]

Sorry Tom can help you out on those, But that is cool looking  .

[collecture]

Even an aftermarket lock would do I guess, but I'd rather find a key. Here is a picture of what the lock looks like - pretty plain looking on top. The cylinder is 1" in diameter. Not sure if the number 4093 on the cam is for the lock/key or not - don't know a lot about slots. This is the lock that is right in the middle of the payout legend.

Anybody? Slot webites? All I have found are valuation sites or sites wanting to buy yours.

[Larry]

The Mills machines used Bell keys with that funky snake pattern to move the pins in the lock cylinders.  Anytime you have a lock with that rectangular opening like in your pictures, you have one of these type of keys.  I haven't found anybody who reproduces them.  I have other vending machines with that style of key too.  So Mills wasn't the only one using them.

The keys pop up on Ebay, but good luck in finding a match.  Also, there's usually a Mills lock and key on Ebay too.  Last week there was.  I don't know if it is the same style of lock though, length, width, depth, etc.

Good luck!

Here are a few dealers that I have chated with over the years. 

You can try Dave at

http://www.ibuyoldslots.com/  He might be able to guide you.  He's a nice guy.

Bob Levy at

http://www.antiqueslotmachines.com/?
source=overture&kw=antique+slot+machines

Fred DeBaugh at

http://www.oldslots.com/

Alan at

http://www.chicagoslots.com/

http://www.slotsofmontana.com/  I never talked to these guys but no tax in Montana.

[Funtronics]

Nobody makes those keys anymore. I have a large lot of those keys that I got from Steve when I bought Fun-Tronics. Not sure what all numbers I have.

[scalebowler]

It almost looks like a parking meter lock

[Creighton]

>It almost looks like a parking meter lock

Different critter but just as hard to deal with.
Creighton