Cannon Fire (Big)

Cannon Fire (Big) is a significant addition to any serious pinball collection, being an early electromechanical pinball produced by Mills Novelty Company in 1934. As a licensed version of Shyvers Coin Automatic Machine Company's original 'Cannon Fire,' it showcases the evolution of pinball from its humble beginnings as a simple bagatelle game into a more interactive experience. Designed by Kenneth C. Shyvers, this machine represents an early period in pinball history, predating the invention of the flipper by well over a decade.

What makes Cannon Fire notable is its use of cannons and hardware crafted from polished aluminum, adding an extra layer of visual appeal to a 46-inch by 26-inch cabinet - the larger "Big" (or Senior) version of the game. According to the Encyclopedia of Pinball, the earliest examples closely resembled the original Shyvers version, including the same cast aluminum nameplates, before Mills upgraded the nameplate and cabinet design.

Cannon Fire's relatively simple, pre-flipper design belies its place in the era's rapid experimentation with electromechanical mechanisms. While its theme remains unspecified, the polished aluminum hardware gives it a distinctive look. As an early Depression-era electromechanical machine, Cannon Fire (Big) is a valuable piece for collectors and historians interested in pinball's earliest days, alongside related models such as the Cannon Fire Jr. and the standard Cannon Fire.