Antique VTG 1940s SideBottom Super Crane Claw Machine Arcade Gambling Coin Op

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Antique VTG 1940s SideBottom Super Crane Claw Machine Arcade Gambling Coin Op:
$1500.00

Late 40s - Early 50s Sidebutton Super Claw Machine. When plugged in the lights and electricity come on. The crane spins both ways with ease and the white circle in middle is the drop door for prize. What I can\'t find out about this particular machine is how to drop the crane. I know nothing about these machines so it could be something simple I am missing. Structurally it is sturdy and all the glass is very solid with no cracks. Back mirror appears to be original but someone cut a square where there was a decal. All wood is solid besides the base where items would lay, it looks like it should be replaced unless you want to keep the carpet material that is on right now. It is still solid piece a wood but has some warping. It looks like it would be very simple to replace. I haven\'t attempted to clean the machine inside or out. Everything appears to be inside and out. It came with two keys and the are both working. If you know anything about these machines the pictures should tell most of the story. If you need further pictures just let me know and I will do my best to help. Please see extra photos posted below. Will ship freight or you can have it shipped yourself.

Here is further info I have found on these machines.

Manufactured by the Sidebottom Novelty Co. of California, circa. 1946-56.

It is unique for it’s “jukebox” style with curved glass top (yes, real glass), and for the 360-degree play field.

It is truly “super” because of a heavy, well-engineered, mechanical mechanism, and for the three playing options that it provides to the location operator. It can be operated any one of these ways:

1.as a standard play-for-merchandise digger,

2.as a “Buy Back Plan” digger for cash payoffs

3.as a “Free Games” payoff game giving 20 free games on a meter each time a prize is won (the games can be played-off one-by-one with a button located under the coin entry, or an attendant can pay the player in cash for accumulated games and then clear the meter).

Students of coin machine history know that this game could not have been shipped legally in interstate commerce after 1951 due to Federal law: the Johnson Interstate Transportation Act of 1951. This pay-out digger was classified as a gambling device.