Shooting Star (Junior)
About This Machine
The Shooting Star (Junior) is a rare and little-documented electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machine from Daval Manufacturing Co. of Chicago, Illinois, circa 1934-1935. No documentation for this "Junior" version has been found aside from surviving photographs, making it an intriguing curiosity from the earliest era of coin-op pinball.
The machine offers 10 balls for one cent and features five kickers built around a distinctive design: balls landing inside the metal star are kicked out toward the entrance lane of a progressive scoring feature, while balls landing in the Star Hole are returned to the player to shoot again and simultaneously trigger the four kickers of the progressive scoring feature, advancing any balls present. This layered kicker system rewards strategic play and adds an extra layer of excitement typical of mid-1930s pinball design.
The cabinet is compact, measuring approximately 36 inches long and 16 inches wide, with a height of 9.5 inches at the front and 12 inches at the back. It is a smaller companion to Daval's 'Shooting Star (Standard).' Given the scarcity of surviving records, the Shooting Star (Junior) remains a niche but noteworthy piece for collectors of early 1930s pinball.
Images (19)
Technical Details
- Notable Features:
- 10 balls for 1 cent. Kickers (5). Balls that land inside the metal star are kicked out towards the entrance lane of the progressive scoring feature. Balls that land in the Star Hole are returned to the player to shoot again and also activate the four kickers of the progressive scoring feature, kicking them simultaneously to advance any balls that are present. Cabinet measures approximately 36 inches long and 16 inches wide. Height without legs is 9 1/2 inches in the front and 12 inches in the back.