This is an original “Acme Shocker” penny arcade shock machine manufactured by the Advance Machine Company in Chicago around the 1930’s - 40’s. The machine has been completely restored to its original 1930’s condition. The machine works well, has a new 1930’s reproduction battery, and looks great.

This coin-op machine challenges your ability to withstand a shock. These arcade machines were popular in the early 1900’s at a time in history when people were awed by the possible uses of electricity. The idea here is to insert a penny and turn the crank. That starts a timer working, the player then turns the handle and gets an increasingly stronger electrical shock the more it’s turned. It works very well; it’s difficult to get the pointer on the gauge past the halfway point before letting go.

The marquee sign at the top is a home-made replacement but otherwise the machine is all original. The case is solid all-steel; overall size is 10” X 9” X 7. The lock on the door is original and comes with a key and works well.

The Battery

The reproduction Eveready Columbia battery pictured is included. These machines originally used No.6 size 1.5 v batteries that are hard to find today. The battery that comes with this machine was made to look identical to a 1930’s vintage battery but it actually has 4 standard and replaceable “C” size flashlight batteries housed inside the shell.

An impressive old time arcade machine in excellent condition.