Le Diamant

Le Diamant, manufactured by E. Grulet & Cie of Migennes, Yonne, France, is a rare and intriguing example of early pinball history. As a Pure Mechanical (PM) tabletop/counter game, it holds value for collectors and historians seeking to understand the evolution of pinball design. The exact year of production is unconfirmed, but its compact cabinet, measuring 86 cm by 45 cm, suggests a space-efficient approach characteristic of early pinball machines.

Le Diamant has been described in pinball literature as a French version of Bally's 1932 'Ballyhoo', though its playfield layout more closely resembles Keeney and Sons' 1932 'Rainbo'. As a pure-mechanical game, it predates flippers, relying instead on tilt, gravity, and manually operated mechanisms typical of early counter-top pinball. Reportedly, the art deco paint scheme seen on some examples' cabinet and legs is typical of French games of the 1930s, similar to Magister's 1934 'Les Flèches'; however, at least one other surviving example has a plain woodgrain cabinet with no marbling, suggesting some variation across production.

Unfortunately, the absence of detailed documentation means much about the machine's design, art, and theme remains speculative. Its cabinet size and stylistic ties to other 1930s French and American games place it firmly in pinball's earliest pre-flipper era, and it continues to captivate enthusiasts with its historical presence.