Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

General vintage slot machine related topics.
aristomatic
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Re: Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

Post by aristomatic »

Yes. I saw that when it went on. I emailed him and it was his father-in-law's. I think it was listed in maybe casino or another category, so many people would have missed it even when it was on ebay. I think I asked him to post more pictures so I could see the coin entry inside, which he did just before it was removed.

I would agree that there are not going to be many of those over here... (now that I have said that half a dozen will be listed over the next week!) Possibly a Marmite machine for collectors, or one of those dogs at the rescue centre that's been there a while. The fact it's a 4 reeler rather than a 3 reeler would make a difference to many, but I would have bought it if it had turned up at my door for that money.

GP
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downunda
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Re: Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

Post by downunda »

Bit of a gravedig, but I will be on topic...

Was given one of these today.
It is in a terrible state. The mech is loose, but could be all there, at least 1 ruined spring, the reel papers have some damage, the reject tube is broken off, and the cabinet is yuk. But it was free.

6_zpssvsxwqh7.jpg

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a40 ... sxwqh7.jpg

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http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a40 ... ofqyzd.jpg

If this thread comes alive, I'll continue posting here, otherwise, might start a new thread...
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Last edited by downunda on Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
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downunda
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Re: Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

Post by downunda »

Now that I have read all the posts, I can add a few more things:

This has foam in the cabinet as well.
I have a Jubilee unit as well (it's very different to this mechanism).
Yes, gold coloured tin reels.
Fan on the clock is blue, if that makes any difference.

Will take better pics in sunlight tomorrow.
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treefrog
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Re: Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

Post by treefrog »

Welcome downunda,
I've sill not done anything with my one yet, but good to see another of this lesser seen machine. I am sure you will have fun getting it back into operational state. Only obvious thing I can see is the missing coin overflow tube to the cash box. Does it work?
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downunda
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Re: Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

Post by downunda »

Hey back at ya.
The over flow tube is there, the soldered tab cam off. Easy fix. In reality, I don't need it, as let's face it, it's no longer gonna have many coins fed in to it...

I gave it a single pull yesterday when I got it home, but the reels didn't move, and the clock was very slow.
I hope to spend an hour on it today, and fix a few things, give it a little clean, and replace a spring or 2, and see if I can get it to function. I'll add some more pics then...
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downunda
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Re: Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

Post by downunda »

So I spent an hour brushing off the cobwebs, old foam, a little lube, and replaced the buggered spring. Coin mech is bent and will need fixing before I will be able to use any coins in it, but manually, it works. Payout slides will need to come out and be properly cleaned, but reassembled and took a few pics. If anyone want full size pics, just ask. Need to get some full size pics of the mech, so hopefully OP will get my email. Haven't tried the electrics, but need to flouro tubes. Found a Five pence coin, dated 1661! ;-)

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http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a40 ... iiwwjd.jpg

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http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a40 ... e6yem2.jpg

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http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a40 ... hioow9.jpg
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gameswat
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Re: Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

Post by gameswat »

Good lord - the Hunchback of Slot-be Damned! That box on the back is bloody ugly. I guess it was either an after thought or later revamp to add lights and multi pulls for one coin?
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downunda
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Re: Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

Post by downunda »

See the last pic for electronics inside the hunchback....
ybot
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Re: Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

Post by ybot »

Sorry to bring this topic back from the dead.
I'm so excited to come back here and see all the answers and replies.

That last one is identical case wise to min, and the electronics are the same and what needs to be repaired in mine. I would love to see what lights and sounds they are capable of making.

I will pop in and check here again. I have the mech running nicely, but would love to source a new knob for the handle and also have the electronics looked at or even where to source those parts so I can have a crack at replacing them.

Thanks again for all the replies.

If there is anyone who thinks they can help with pointing me in the direction of parts feel free to email me or even pm me.
Thanks. !!CHEERS!!
pennymachines
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Re: Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

Post by pennymachines »

Another Sapphire bandit, currently on ebay France:
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brigham
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Re: Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

Post by brigham »

Re-badged Aristocrat?
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badpenny
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Re: Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

Post by badpenny »

I like those, but quite a trek to Franceland.
£778.50 is probably acceptable in these crazy pox ridden times, but it's a lot of handbag for what appears to be an Arcadian with a different door to this curmudgeonly old git.

BP
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Re: Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

Post by pennymachines »

brigham wrote: Thu Oct 14, 2021 1:58 pm Re-badged Aristocrat?
I don't think so. These seem to be a unique product of Apex Amusement Co. Pty. Ltd.
pennymachines wrote:Trading from the 1940s to 1960 and based in Balmian, above Sydney, NSW, the company sold cloned or revamped versions of Mills' Hi Top, under the Apex name, before Ray Smith developed their distinctive 'Sapphire' model which was made in three and four reel versions.
Pokies From Down Under
treefrog wrote: Mon Aug 11, 2014 9:15 pm The overall size is actually quite small, smaller than an Aristocrat Clubmaster.

I have hunted everywhere and no maker's stamps anywhere, just serial numbers. Does not look like Jubilee in origin, closer to a Mills, but it not a Mills. I believe this has been made by the manufacturer. The reels are very unusual, they are solid tin.
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brigham
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Re: Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

Post by brigham »

Looks like I've been too long in the Retail Motor Industry to take things at face value...
magicz
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Re: Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

Post by magicz »

Hi,
I don't know if this is the same one, but does anyone know what they are and what they're worth and if it's worth getting fixed up?
Thanks.
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pennymachines
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Re: Sapphire (Apex Amusements) bandit identified

Post by pennymachines »

:WELCOME: magicz,
Whether it's worth fixing up depends upon how much you like it. If you just wish to realize its cash value, I think you'd be best advised to sell as is, because the time and cost of restoring probably won't be recouped and, if done badly, could devalue it. Does it play and pay out correctly?

I think these four pages contain more about these machines than you will find anywhere else. In other words, it's a little known machine and its appeal is probably limited to a few bandit collectors looking for something different. You'd expect Australians to be most keen but, because of their legal restrictions on gambling machine ownership, there isn't a strong market for them there.

I'm amazed how many variants of the Sapphire there are. Yours is similar to, but not quite the same as, the first one posted to this topic.
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