Peerless Multiple
About This Machine
The Peerless Multiple, manufactured by Bally Manufacturing Corporation in February 1936, is a single-player electro-mechanical payout machine (model 71) built around a double-payout mechanic. An earlier version of the game had previously been produced as project #62, and the double-payout concept itself was first popularized in Bally's 1935 'Prospector.'
A standout feature is its double-payout system: three lights flash whenever a coin is deposited, and if one stays lit when the ball comes to rest, the value of all playfield holes increases -- to $1.50 for green, $1.00 for yellow, or 50 cents for red (except the 100- and 150-point holes, which retain their value). Balls landing in the Bally-Hole at the top of the playfield earn a free play and advance a clock-hand indicator across a dial spelling out BALLY, determining a payout award the next time a ball reaches the Bally-Hole -- ranging from a free play for "B" up to a $7.00 gold award for "Y."
The machine runs on batteries and displays patents from Consolidated Patent Corporation and Ace Patents Corporation on its playfield. Its straightforward, functional design is typical of mid-1930s payout machines, prioritizing gameplay mechanics over elaborate artwork.
Images (14)
Technical Details
- Model Number:
- 71
- Notable Features:
- 1 ball for 5 cents. Double payout as follows: 1) Three lights flash on and off every time a coin is deposited. If one of the lights stays on when the ball comes to rest, the value of all holes on the playfield increases to $1.50, $1, or 50 cents, depending on which light remains lit: Green light lit increases all holes to $1.50. Yellow light lit increases all holes to $1.00. Red light lit increases all holes to 50 cents, except the 100-hole and the 150-hole retain their value. 2) Balls shot into the Bally-Hole at top of playfield return for free play and also operate a clock-hand indicator which moves, one letter at a time, across a dial marked BALLY, showing the payout award for the letter indicated when the ball next falls into the Bally-Hole: B awards free play. A pays 10 cents. L pays 20 cents. L pays 50 cents. Y pays $7.00 Gold Award. Operates on batteries. Playfield indicates the following patent was owned by Consolidated Patent Corporation: Patent No. 1,802,521 [GAME APPARATUS] was filed Aug 14, 1928 and issued April 28, 1931 to George H. Miner. Playfield indicates the following patent was owned by Ace Patents Corporation: Patent No. 2,010,966 [GAME OF SKILL] filed March 7, 1034. Granted August 13, 1935 to Henry W. Seiden et al.