Normal cabinet uses a shooter. For a time it was considered to be more of a chance of luck (gambling) than rolling the ball up the glass to a specific area of the PF. United roll down games didn't use legs but rather it sat on an extended cabinet underneath.

Games with shooters were considered gambling devices for a few years. The answer was the roll down version.

I haven't owned a rolldown myself, but I have seen them with legs so apparently they come apart.

BTW if you are looking for a schematic:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/for-sale-1947-united-singapore-pinball-schematic-and-diagrams

had the normal cab version..once you get the hang on how to play these pre flipper games they are such a rush.

Two separate pieces, bolted together.

If the machine gives you a ball to roll down the playfield glass. What stops some kid from just taking the ball? Or throwing the ball at the backglass. I guess kids were more respectable of stuff back in those days.

Yes, it is three pieces, upper/lower/head.

It definitely would be more difficult to transport. Typically the leg holes were either filled in, or just left exposed, but most cab conversions could be placed back on legs if needed.

Most roll downs (of this type) used the same kind of playfield that the shooter rod-equipped cousins used.

You can see the 'spoon' used to lift the ball. It lifts to a little pocket or similar that you can grab the ball. You'd roll the ball down a mid-glass where it would roll down a little ramp onto the playfield. You cannot reach into the playfield from the middle glass with your hands.

Nope, not that I'm aware of - I can't find any rolldown videos.

Russ Jensen, the pinball historian, wrote about them when discussing what constitutes a pinball machine:

http://www.pinballcollectorsresource.com/russ_files/whatis.html

Also, the various images of the Tropicana rolldown on ipdb will show you what I'm talking about. The steel ball comes out directly above the spoon feeder into a pocket. You physically pick it up and roll it down the mid glass to the playfield. I'm sure for this game, they gave you the same 5 balls they would for the pinball version. Nothing stops you from stealing a ball, but then again, the game doesnt care.

These early games didn't have logic tied to the ball troughs. They were simply utilitarian items to temporarily hold the balls while you shot them. The balls land in an area above the trough covered by metal and released by the coin slide. Hope that helps!
-Nick

I have a full video of my united Singapore rolldown but for some reason I can't load it on here. If you look at one of the pics you will see the ball sitting on a spoon once it's ejected. You can actually eject all the balls and when you grab the ball off the spoon the next one fills its place. The machine has to be perfectly level for the ball to roll down perfectly. Also it's almost impossible for you to nudge the ball since there is no legs. It's fun. I like how the ball kicks back into the game and the bonus is great. Not a top player but fun to have around.

I think it's a real pinball machine even though it doesn't have a plunger. Mid evil madness doesn't have a plunger is that not pinball?

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