Pamco Palooka (Senior)

The Pamco Palooka (Senior) is a rare and enigmatic gem from the early days of pinball history. Produced by Pacific Amusement Manufacturing Company (PAMCO) in January 1936, this electro-mechanical payout machine is one of the few surviving examples of pre-war American pinball production.

The Palooka (Senior)'s standout feature is its six coin chutes, a novelty setup for its time. Its deep cabinet, advertised at 50 inches long and 24 inches wide, provided ample space for the internal payout mechanisms typical of games in this category. A version with a single coin chute was also released as PAMCO's 'Pamco Palooka (Junior).' The Senior model originally sold new for $189.50, equipped with an Electropak and check separator (checks were $5.00 extra), with the price later dropping to $169.50.

The Pamco Palooka (Senior) remains a scarce piece of pre-war pinball history, and its rarity and age make it a highly sought-after collector's item.