Silver Moon Jr.
About This Machine
The Silver Moon Jr. (1934) is a rare and significant piece of pinball history produced by the Shyvers Coin Automatic Machine Company. As an electro-mechanical (EM) machine, it showcases early innovations in game design and mechanics, predating many modern features we take for granted today. Among its unique aspects is the use of a continuous stepping switch to randomly award points above and beyond what's scored by the balls in play, adding an element of unpredictability to gameplay.
The Silver Moon Jr.'s gameplay is characterized by 27 trap holes and a single crescent-shaped diverter, requiring strategic thinking and skill to navigate. What makes this machine truly stand out is its random point-awarding feature, which operates independently of the mechanical gameplay and is powered by a battery in the lower cabinet. This unique mechanic was likely an early attempt at creating a dynamic and engaging experience for players.
Unfortunately, very little information is available on the design, art, or theme of this machine, suggesting it may have been produced without much fanfare. However, its rarity and historical significance make it a notable piece in any pinball enthusiast's collection, offering a fascinating glimpse into the early days of pinball evolution.
Images (46)
Technical Details
- Notable Features:
- Trap holes (27), Crescent-shaped diverter (1). Pushing in the coin slide at the start of the game activates a small stepping switch under the playfield to advance one position to light either the red lamp or the green lamp on an occasional basis to signify a points award above and beyond what pockets have been scored by the balls in play. The amount of points awarded by these lamps was likely explained on the instruction card. This continuous stepping switch, a sprocket or gear, has several studs permanently mounted to its rim (not operator-adjustable). Most studs are short, but two are longer. The short ones engage the green light and the long ones engage the red light. The studs on the gear are mounted in a somewhat random order such that, on average, a light comes on every three games, but it could be as many as four games until a light comes on, or as few as two. Every 3 to 4 positions the green light will come on. Every 20 positions (or so) the red light will come on. In no cases do both lights come on for a single game. Whichever light gets lit, it remains lit for the duration of the game in play. This awards feature operates independently of the mechanical game play and is powered by a battery mounted in the lower cabinet.