Posted 2 years ago
kmiller8821
(7 items)
I recently inherited my Uncle's gumball machine collection. I've been doing research and trying to figure out everything about it.
I believe this is a Vintage NorthWestern (maybe model 49?) 1 cent machine. It's in immaculate condition, no paint wear, no dings. The globe has the Northwestern rasied lettering on the back, its quite beautiful. It has some very minor rust on the coinbox tab. I also had fun trying to figure out how to get this globe out. You pull the lever and then lift the entire globe up. I was just worried gumballs were going to end up everywhere but there is a collar on it and they don't come out. I would also say the gumballs in this thing are vintage as one fell on the ground and shattered like glass. Safe to say these gumballs are for "display purposes only".
I have the key.
Nice piece..looks 50s..
Thank you. I'm still trying to learn about these things. I'll try to get some more photos of it up soon.
I'm not a fan of the later Northwestern gumball machines, but the earlier ones like this are something else. To me, they seem to have a oddity that peaks interest. Nice machine. Thanks for sharing.
-- Earth
This Northwestern is probably one of my favorite new editions. I've never seen one before (in person) as this machine greatly pre-dates me. That said, I find it to very interesting and working to figure out how to get the globe out as fun. Putting it back in is even more fun since you really have to pay attention to the vend handle position as well as the silver collar to align with the "bolt tray" that secures it to the base. I can only imagine the "fun" they must have had filling this but I'm sure my inexperience with it makes it more of a challenge then it should be. At any rate, it's now full with old gumballs from the other machines I replaced product in so it looks ready to go, albeit those gumballs are so stale they shatter instantly on the floor so consumption of these is definitely not recommended.