Special Marble (Horseshoe Board)

Special Marble (Horseshoe Board), manufactured by A.B.T. Manufacturing Company in 1933, is an early addition to the history of pinball machines. As a pure mechanical (PM) pintable from A.B.T.'s long production run (1927-1962), it represents an early step in the evolution of the game before electromechanical features became common. It sold new for $45.10.

The gameplay on Special Marble features a single notable feature: a horseshoe diverter, which redirects the ball as it moves across the playfield. A.B.T. made another game the same year with the same name but a different playfield and cabinet -- the 'Special Marble (No Horseshoe)' -- which lacks this diverter, making the two easy to tell apart.

Special Marble's design is characteristic of early pinball machines, relying on gravity, pins, and mechanical diverters rather than the flippers and electric scoring that would define later machines. Though little is documented about its specific gameplay rules or artwork, its status as one of a pair of closely related A.B.T. releases makes it an interesting piece for collectors interested in the pre-electromechanical era of pinball.