Triggie

The Triggie, a bagatelle-style machine manufactured by H.W. Goewey of Baltimore, Maryland, possibly dates from the early 1930s and offers a glimpse into the evolution of the game before electromechanical innovations took hold. As a pure mechanical (PM) machine, it predates the standard features associated with later electromechanical pinball.

Gameplay on the Triggie is simple yet captivating. Players propel marbles into play by quickly snapping a pivoting piece of wood in the shooter alley. The marbles fall into score holes and roll down channels under the playfield to a "Visible Accumulator" for score keeping. The playfield is inclined by a post positioned under the top end of the game, adding an element of gravity-driven challenge. The compact game measures 21 inches by 11 inches by 4 inches, with the back end standing 6 inches high with its support post.

No information is available on the machine's theme or designer beyond its manufacturer, and its minimalist aesthetic suggests a focus on function over flair. Despite its unknown origins and lack of documentation, this machine remains an interesting piece for collectors and historians studying the earliest mechanical precursors to modern pinball.