Martin-Martine

The Martin-Martine is a rare and enigmatic Pure Mechanical pinball machine whose manufacturer and date of production remain unknown. Its name is displayed in large capital letters curved along the upper arch of the playfield, above a painted scene depicting the bell tower of the town hall of Cambrai, France. According to local legend, the tower's hours are struck by two automated figures, Martin and Martine, said to have saved the city from an oppressor in the 14th century — a story the game's artwork directly commemorates.

The playfield features an impressive 17 trap holes, which would have made for a challenging bagatelle-style game requiring players to skillfully guide the ball while navigating each hole to accumulate points. The exact scoring rules are undocumented, but the sheer density of holes suggests a game demanding real precision, typical of early mechanical amusement games of its era.

The coin-operated cabinet is compact, measuring 80 x 45 x 28 cm, suggesting it was built for smaller venues or easy placement. One unconfirmed claim tied to this game is that it appeared in a film called "Hotel de France" starring Arletty — though the only film by that title that could be located is from 1987, decades after Arletty's active career, so this connection remains unverified. With no images available to confirm further details, the Martin-Martine remains a genuine mystery within pinball history.