4 Ball Top It

The 4 Ball Top It, manufactured by A.B.T. Manufacturing Company in 1936, is an example of pinball history from the early days of the game. As an electro-mechanical (EM) machine from a company that would continue producing coin-operated machines into the 1960s, it represents a step in the evolution of pinball design and gameplay of the period.

As the name suggests, the game likely involved four balls in play, though the specific rules and objectives are not documented. Like other EM machines of the mid-1930s, it would have used a flipperless playfield with balls launched by a manual plunger, with scoring determined by where the balls came to rest.

Unfortunately, very little is known about the design, art, or theme of the 4 Ball Top It, which adds to its mystique among pinball collectors and historians. A.B.T. Manufacturing Company was one of the notable companies in the development of pinball machines during this era, and the 4 Ball Top It is a testament to the ingenuity of these early pioneers, its rarity adding to its value among collectors and enthusiasts.