Big Shot (5-Ball)

Big Shot (5-Ball) is an electro-mechanical pinball machine from January 1936, manufactured by the short-lived California Exhibit Company of Los Angeles, which operated only from 1935 to 1936. It's an example of the five-balls-for-a-nickel format typical of the pre-flipper pinball era.

Key to Big Shot's gameplay is its use of five balls per game, each costing just 5 cents. The machine boasts a total of 17 trap holes, adding an element of challenge and strategy to the game. A time clock and tilt meter with indicator lamps also contribute to the player experience. Big Shot operates on dry cell batteries and uses 1-inch steel balls, both common for coin-operated games of this period. A companion one-ball payout version, also called "Big Shot," was produced by the same company.

Little is known about the machine's designer, artist, or theme beyond its electro-mechanical construction. Its compact cabinet — roughly 46 by 23 inches — and straightforward operation suggest a focus on accessibility and fun. As a surviving example from California Exhibit Company's brief one-year production run, Big Shot (5-Ball) offers a glimpse into the early days of pinball's evolution.