Big Shot

Big Shot, manufactured by A.B.T. Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois, is a rare early example of electro-mechanical (EM) pinball design from March 1936. As a one-ball payout machine for a single player, it reflects the coin-operated amusement trade of its era, when manufacturers were experimenting with electromechanical scoring to appeal to operators and players alike. Little is known about the machine's designer or theme, but its simplicity suggests it was built for straightforward, accessible entertainment.

Big Shot's gameplay is characteristic of mid-1930s payout machines, with a single ball working its way around a set of numbered holes on the playfield rather than the flipper-based play that would not arrive until over a decade later. Its electro-mechanical components, including solenoids and relays for scoring and payout, demonstrate the emerging technology of the period.

The design and art on Big Shot are typical of the era, with a modest, functional aesthetic rather than elaborate theming. Despite its lack of distinctive artwork, Big Shot remains an interesting piece of pinball history for enthusiasts due to its age and rarity, with very few examples known to survive today.