Oliver Whales wood?

[JC]

It looks very red for oak.

Funny you should mention that, because I initially thought the grain structure looks very mahogany, which would be very strange as mahogany was never a timber of choice in British wall machines

[geofflove]

When I first saw it I immediately thought mahogany too, but discounted it as I thought it was unlikely. Maybe not...

[cheeky]

I reckon oak too. I've seen it in various guises over the years pre and post stain. I had some cases made ages ago and no longer own the machines. The cabinet maker said that they were old varieties of oak. Having said that, it might not be.

[moonriver]

Based on that image I think it's very sun bleached mahogany. It looks identical to mahogany long bench widow seating at my parent's house which had been in south facing sunny location for 50 plus years.

[geofflove]

So I sanded a bit today. I’m pretty sure it’s mahogany!

[moonriver]

you'll be able to use your 'rare mahogany case version' price label now!

[pennymachines]

Does it match the rest of the case?

[moonriver]

if it does I wouldn't be rubbing any more of it down, and lose all that nice age wear and patina

[geofflove]

In terms of whether it’s matches the case I need to look through the pile to check. But yes I think it might match one. In terms of ‘patina’ they all look like they’ve been pulled out of the river (actually they were stored in a damp boat house for 50 years) so the current ‘patina’ doesn’t look too good. Sanding and start again really is the option.

[arrgee]

they all look like they’ve been pulled out of the river

That would explain the 'current' patina then Geoff.

[brigham]

So I sanded a bit today. I’m pretty sure it’s mahogany!

Are Waltonian Merchandisers made of mahogany, by any chance?

[pennymachines]

No, I think they're also oak. The only mahogany cased games that come to mind are pre WW1, like WH Ell's counter-top games.

[geofflove]

So, here’s the machine in the mahogany case. The remaining varnish makes it look a bit more like oak but it’s definitely not. The sides and door are mahogany like the other piece I sanded.
I’m quite keen to get working on it to see how it looks when restored....! The fun bit will be finding some mahogany to replace the bottom, cash door and top piece which usually holds the top flash as these are missing. Oh and a new thumb lever.

[john t peterson]

This exchange illuminates what I believe to be a significant part of the charm of the early British coin-op history. As opposed to the behemoth standardized construction practices of the American arcade and gambling companies, the English manufactures were more similar to Mom and Pop operators, using whatever might be available. No oak left in the inventory? Why not use that mahogany we got somewhere? Throw in the horrible shortages imposed by the two World Wars and you end up with some very inventive components in these period machines. This is not a detraction, but rather a valuable tale-tell marker of historical value. God save the Queen...and your British arcade heritage. These games are irreplaceable.

Affectionately yours,
J Peterson
USA

[gameswat]

No, I think they're also oak. The only mahogany cased games that come to mind are pre WW1, like WH Ell's counter-top games.

Don't forget that most of the 1950s Modern Enterprises automatons like Jolly Jack were in mahogany.

[scorpa163]

The Oliver Whales Allwin looks to be in a Stevenson and Lovett case.
Those metal corner pieces are also on my Conveyor and Super Steeraball.
The cases on my Oliver Whales are oak and so is my Conveyor.

[pennymachines]

My Conveyor isn't oak and could in fact be mahogany...

[geofflove]

The Oliver Whales Allwin looks to be in a Stevenson and Lovett case.
Those metal corner pieces are also on my Conveyor and Super Steeraball.
The cases on my Oliver Whales are oak and so is my Conveyor.

That’s interesting. Could well be the case. Mix and match I guess.

[gameswat]

I've had one Conveyor in a solid oak case, and two that were mixed, with same oak outer and probably mahogany doors.

Re: What is your dream machine?

[gameswat]

The Oliver Whales Allwin looks to be in a Stevenson and Lovett case.
Those metal corner pieces are also on my Conveyor and Super Steeraball.
The cases on my Oliver Whales are oak and so is my Conveyor.

I've owned quite a few allwins with those S&L style corner pieces, but they were all plated brass castings, while the originals on my Conveyors were plated steel and not cast but strips spot welded to a backing plate, very nice quality. I always assumed a particular operator liked the look of those corner pieces and had them cast from a steel original, adding them to any brand second hand allwins to make his machines stand out or maybe just easy for him to spot? Pictured below a spare set of originals I sold to a member, wire brushed to remove rust.