This side of his business took a huge hit during the war but just six months after the war ended he was booking one of the first flights to Paris (no mean feat in 1946, Billboard Mag reports that his flight took 22 hours stopping in Newfoundland and Ireland). He also recognised the importance of international sales and had a large European network of agents by 1939. He also recognised the importance of solidarity amongst the slot makers and was heavily involved in various slot makers associations and in the running of the very important trade shows of the time. He also employed several selling plans designed to make his machines easier to buy. During WW2 he realised the potential of plastics, and not just in the slot industry and looked to move in that direction. This was to happen again some years later and run-ins with the law seem to have been a large part of the companies demise in the 50's.Īnother plus for Buckley was that he was undoubtedly a good businessman and, unlike some of the bigger firms, he embraced change, modern methods and materials. As early as July 1936, just six years after he started up he and his company were in court on patent infringement charges. Thirdly he wasn't shy of overstepping the mark, copying other companies products was commonplace in the slot industry and Buckley was certainly involved in this. The 'Buckley Bones' this remarkable dice playing machine is one of the most sort-after slot machines (see below for more details)

' Track Odds ' Buckley answer to 'Paces Races' a compressed air console machine Buckley also made a series of unusual Pin tables, some in the form of gambling machines with a payout.

Secondly, when he did produce machines he often looked in a different direction from the other firms, this resulted in some of the most interesting(and collectable) gambling machines ever made. He did this in several ways.įirstly although he did make his own machines(and very good ones) he cut costs drastically by producing a lot of machines that used mechanisms from other companies (notably Mills) in his own cases. Patrick J.Buckley arrived late on the slot machine front in 1929 with his Puritan Baby Vendor and Conversion BellĪfter getting started in much the same way as his competitors it was clear his company was always going to be playing catch up to the big boys so he decided to steer his business down a slightly different path.

The Rye Heritage Ctr Collection of Working Models.

See a Selection of the More Complex Machines at Work.

Coin Operated Related Seaside Postcards.

Replacement Artwork,logos,etc Available.

The puritan bell slot machine