Tura Derby

The Tura Derby, manufactured by Tura Automatenfabrik GmbH of Leipzig, Germany in August 1934, is a significant addition to the early history of European pinball. It followed the same manufacturer's Tura-Duplex and Tura Fortuna earlier that year, part of a productive run of 1930s German machines. The game proved popular enough to be reissued as Model B in 1935 and Model C in July 1935.

The Tura Derby's gameplay is centered around a horse racing theme, with mechanical horses that 'race' along the playfield to simulate the excitement of a derby. The machine's pure mechanical (PM) design is noteworthy, as it relies on physical mechanisms and springs to create movement rather than electronic components - typical of pinball machines of this pre-electromechanical, pre-flipper era.

Not much is documented about the machine's specific artwork or designer, but its horse-racing theme and mechanical racing gimmick made it distinctive enough to warrant two follow-up models. As one of the earlier surviving examples of German-made pinball, the Tura Derby offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of this beloved game.