Rigged 1920's Roulette Wheel "Barn Find" (2 Viewers)

[Rigged]

I've recently acquired a late 20's early 30's H.C. Evans "Deluxe" Roulette wheel. My inlaws had it stored in a shed for the last ten years, they bought it in Omaha NE. The antique store doesn't know its provenance. I'm currently in the process of restoration. Upon disassembly, I discovered that it was a gaffed wheel. There are two mechanisms on different locations of the wheel I assume were activated by magnets. This pops out a small pin that drops the ball into a certain area of the wheel. My first thought was "Jackpot!"

I started my research and was only able to find one wheel that used the same type of pins. There were tons of articles written about "Al Capones Roulette Wheel." The pin system was the same but their wheel was controlled by batteries. I think this wheel is controlled by magnets but I don't think they had powerful magnets in the early 30's.

I'm here for information, Does anyone out there know what I got my hands on? Is this piece extremely rare or is there just a lack of information on the web? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[AfterTheFact]

No information but thats cool!

 

[bigblind]

there has been some threads that had roulette wheels from Capone speak easy that were
rigged with similar devices.

 

[bigblind]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...te-table-guaranteed-House-won-discovered.html

someone rebuilding similar roulette wheel

 

[Rigged]

That’s the one I found online. But that’s the only one that I can see. Thank you.

 

[Tham6165]

@allforcharity

 

[allforcharity]

Thanks for the tag but I don't know shit.
I wonder if the balance can be restored if it is indeed a rigged wheel.
Barn storage is tough, likely there's some degree of warp from humidity and temperature extremes over the years.

 

[Okku]

I just absolutely love it!!! So cool!

 

[Rigged]

It was actually dropped at some point. When they bought it was already broken. And wouldn’t spin. The Goddess of Chance turret had broken arms. I’ve given her to a specialist for repair. I’ve already fixed the wheel now I’m just doing the tedious task of refinishing the woodwork. Removing and re-glueing the laminate took a lot of time. But that’s my specialty “woodworking. Pretty motivating project.

 

[yoke386]

Awesome project and piece of history! Good luck on the restoration, can’t wait to see the finished product

 

[Rigged]

Awesome project and piece of history! Good luck on the restoration, can’t wait to see the finished product

I’ll post some pics as I go through the process.

 

[Taghkanic]

If you dig deeply enough you can probably find a copy of an HCE catalog from that era which would contain more info on your wheel.

 

[doublebooyah85]

Beautiful! If nothing else makes killer art!

 

[Rigged]

If you dig deeply enough you can probably find a copy of an HCE catalog from that era which would contain more info on your wheel.

I found this wheel in a catalog image. It's hard to read. It's a long shot but I'm hoping to find an old image of a casino or speakeasy that had used this type of wheel. I'm searching for "prominence" The Goddess of Chance is pretty rare. Hopefully, someone will come across this forum and recognize it. Thanks

 

[doublebooyah85]

Someone’s making a trip to antique roadshow the next time they r in town!

 

[Rigged]

Added sanded and polished the brass ring.

 

[Rigged]

It's alive!

 

[Rigged]

I found this catalog page from 1929. It was the most expensive wheel H.C. Evan’s sold. Maybe it was in a higher-end joint. Today’s cost would have been over $6,500.

 

[Rigged]

Well I found a table and the owner of the table made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. It was a fun project. Now I’m looking for another wheel. I’ve got a couple sources looking for provenance still and I’ll keep posting updates. Also looking for a set of vintage poker chips for another project I’m working on. Thanks for all the help!

 

[ChipEnvy]

Dude... that is beautiful. I am taking it you don't have the goddess? If that is the case any ideas on what you are gonna do with it?

 

[doublebooyah85]

Are you trying to sell it? You seem really focused on the value.

 

[Rigged]

The Goddess is in line to get fixed she won’t be done for a month.

 

[doublebooyah85]

Well I found a table and the owner of the table made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. It was a fun project. Now I’m looking for another wheel. I’ve got a couple sources looking for provenance still and I’ll keep posting updates. Also looking for a set of vintage poker chips for another project I’m working on. Thanks for all the help!View attachment 1278087

Nvm just saw this update you sold it LOL

 

[jkpoker6]

These are sweet!!

 

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[Rigged]

I decided not to sell more progression on the stand.

 

[doublebooyah85]

I decided not to sell more progression on the stand.

Good for you. It’s awesome.

 

[allforcharity]

Looks great!

 

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