Pamco Bells

The Pamco Bells is a rare and fascinating electro-mechanical machine from June 1936, manufactured by Pacific Amusement Manufacturing Company of Chicago. It is a one-ball payout game from pinball's pre-flipper era, offering a glimpse into a period when the line between pinball and gambling equipment was still being drawn.

Gameplay is straightforward yet intriguing, with each play featuring just one ball at a nickel per game. The playfield features various holes, each paying out an amount shown on the backglass. Players could aim for the more substantial payouts, but be warned: the easy-to-reach "Lemon" hole pays out nothing at all. This simple yet effective design makes Pamco Bells an engaging window into the early days of payout pinball.

The machine's theme, Slot Machine Combinations, may seem unusual by modern standards, but it reflects the close relationship between slot machines and payout pin games during this era. No designer is credited for Pamco Bells, but its historical character makes it an appealing find for serious collectors and historians.