I am of the opinion that anyone who owns more than 3 EM pins should make room for at least 1 EM and/or Mechanical Gun Game in their collection. To me this really enhances the whole arcade experience plus they are a nice break in between drinking a cold one and slinging the silver ball around. I have Lots of good memories of these games as a kid as I am sure many of you do as well.

I just love the Artwork on a lot of these gun games almost as much as pinball machines from the Cabinet, to the Backglass, and last but not least the Dioramas inside.

I have heard from other folks of stories about guests that come over to parties flocking to these things, men, women, and children as there seems to be some sort of natural attraction when folks see a gun (or 2) on a big wooden box, and they say "gee...what's this?" then they play, then they are hooked.

I started this thread in hopes that Pinsiders will share some pictures, stories, and repair information about these wonderful toys.

There is not that much repair information available for these and no readily available website like IPDB to compare pictures to and get information, so this thread will hopefully enlighten all of us in some way.

Check out these other cool topics when you get a chance as well:

http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/em-show-us-your-em-pinball-machines

http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/show-us-your-em-pitch-and-bat-games

http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/show-us-your-em-bowlers-mechanical-and-old-electrical-toys-in-your-gameroom

Also if you want to learn a few tricks and tips on how to repair or modify your gun game, check out my thread on a restoration /modification of a 1969 Williams Phantom Gun:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/1969-williams-phantom-gun-restorationmodifications#post-2073351

Note: I added EM Submarine games to this thread as well because it seems like there were so few different models made mostly by Midway that it would not make sense to start another thread for those alone. These are very cool in their own right and need some Pinside TLC as well.

Want to sell, buy, or trade? Need advice or information? Post it here

Well, what are you waiting for?

Lets see them!

Ken

Oh Boy! I see another Rats Nest Story from Jeff. Maybe a movie? Coming to a theater near you!

Rats Nest II - The Vanguard!

Ken

Turns out I got a new (1st) gun game. Very excited about it as I plan to customize it a bit. Unfortunately I will not be able to play or work on it until later this year until after we move. Here is a video of a game "like" mine in action:

Not sure if the Cabinet paint is original as it is has different colors compared to the flyer and pictures of other ones, but actually looks better with the red color added instead of the Teal Blue IMO. I'm pretty sure at this point that the Cabinet is a repaint but pretty close to the original as far as the pattern anyway although it looks like they added a bat where the start button is . Also I'm pretty sure the game is not working 100%, but is mainly working as the Monster is not turning around once shot and running in the opposite direction each time he is hit.

I think the Midway Haunted House is the Best for that theme/play/sound and wanted that but they go for twice the amount in the same condition of what I bought this for. I went for Williams too for the dependability and maintenance factor as well seeing Midway uses the crappy motorized Score Wheels which are the worst to service along with Chicago Coins crappy Score Wheels that always break and cannot be repaired, only replaced so because of this I will only buy Williams Gun games.

Phantom is the BEST IMO for a "Williams" spooky theme but has the WORST electronic sound board I ever heard, and this is where the Midway Haunted House kicks ass with the call outs and background sound from their 8-track tape. I will replace my Sound Board down the road with an actual Williams (pinball) 3 Bar Chime box I have along with a 3" Bell to register all 4 scores with different tones. Too cool right?

But wait that not all! I will also install a cassette recorder with the actual Midway Haunted House background sounds as Williams never had any for this game! Sample here:

http://www.pinrepair.com/arcade/haunted1.mp3

I also plan to replace all the black light Back drops except for the actual back one with the Haunted House and create custom 3D ones instead of the original 2D. My plan is to have the inside diorama look as good, if not the best compared to Midways version. The spookier the better!

I will repaint the Cabinet gloss black around the Head just like Midways HH as well, but will do some serious paint touch-ups too. This Cabinet will really POP when done. No total repaint needed either yahoo!

Looking to replace the Monster target with one that looks a real monster like the Midway HH version as well.

Everything I plan to do is easy as pie to put back to original down the road should a new buyer want it that way as I will keep all the original parts, but I really do not know why they would.....ever.

Down the road I will get a new Backglass from bgresto,com as well.

A very fun and cool project once done that should make Williams Phantom a scary experience for those who wish to hunt for ghosts and monsters in a haunted house!

Ken

Here are some pictures with the machine off:

Ken

front 1.jpg

Front 2.jpg

Front 3.jpg

Backglass 1.jpg

Here are some pictures of the machine on:

Ken

Backglass lit.jpg

front lit 1.jpg

front lit 2.jpg

Inside diorama lit 1.jpg

Inside diorama lit 2.jpg

Inside diorama lit 3.jpg

I remember playing Gang Busters way back when. Love the whole Tommy Gun with the Kick back action. As far as the diorama inside it is awesome! Wish Williams did a better job on the Phantom Gun diorama but to me Midway really had their act together in this and the sound department.

Get motivated and get it 100% working as you have an awesome game!

Ken

I researched his site before I bought my game but lets face it, there just is not a whole lot of information when it comes to photos/comparisons and repair guides. We need to work together on that aspect with this thread.

Ken

Not quite sure what you are saying here Jason. Do you mean the Coin Door? If so it looks like it would take a standard Coin Door that you could get off any CC pinball machine. Plenty of those being parted out these days. Maybe I'm missing something here?

Ken

Just added Submarine games to this thread as well, so lets see them!

Ken

Yep, good eye Jeff, so now I will not hesitate to paint the outer rim of my Phantom Head gloss black.

Ken

Actually the1976 Midway Sea Wolf was the first SS Submarine game with the 1970 Sea Devil being the last EM version, However Sea Wolf was indeed a fun game.

Moderator, I noticed the thread was moved to the OT section which it is but I am afraid the thread will get lost as I myself had problems finding it and this is a hot topic for the collectors and I wonder if there is some way we can move it back to the EM section? If not, then I think we need an EM-OT section that is actually linked with the EM threads, so basically a sub category. Any chance Robin would approve this?

Thanks,

Ken

Ouch!

Well if the rest of the machine is in great shape I think it would be worth holding on to it until a trashed parts game came along to get your running again Jason.

Ken

I played ambush back in the day and it was a lot of fun! Full Auto Baby!

I do not remember playing Stockade although I do kind of remember a Gun Game with an Indian Target. It does look very fun as well and both being Williams games gets a big 2 thumbs up from me.

Ken

There's a guy up in Canada that has a Phantom listed on eBay for $1400.00 and tends to have a lot of gun games for sale. Maybe the same guy you bought your machine from?

Let's see you get those Jungle Drums beating once again and show us some pictures when its done!

Ken

Fantastic Choices for game play and looks! Actually a Williams Bonanza is on my Wishlist down the road as my 2nd and final gun game as I feel It's got the best western theme going on for a single player. Your very lucky your 4-track tape still works! Nice job with fabricating parts to keep them playing as well.

Hopefully folks share repairs such as yours in the near future with some detailed pictures and information on this new thread.

Ken

That's my plan with our new home. Gun games are always a big hit at parties and when friends visit so I guess we'll just have to have a lot of visitors to keep the gun games super busy.

Ken