The Story behind these

Special Kicker Catcher Machines

Johnny Frantz had Churchill Cabinetry in Indiana, make 50 of these special Oak Kicker Catcher cabinets. They specialized in quality upscale cabinets for radio manufacturers, etc. He made several styles of the Kicker Catcher. The same cabinet, mechanism, coin slide, etc. fit them all. The only difference was the front Glass and the Catcher, except the Baseball game also had a “Hitter”. J. F. Frantz made the standard “Football” model, the “Baseball” model, the “Circus Clown Catcher” model, the “Basketball” model and the “Pot-O-Gold” model.

He never sold these special Oak machines in these Cabinets. He never intended to. He would give them away to good repeat operator customers who bought machines by the hundreds. At the time I worked for Johnny in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. I would assemble the ABT shooting galleries and the Pace Whizballs and the Baker Kicker Catcher mechanisms. He bought out all 3 companies in 1952. By the time 1980 rolled around he had given 10 of these machines away. It brought back repeat customers.

I ended up with the 40 cabinets after Johnny was murdered in his West Lake Street (Chicago) factory. ( So 10 are out there somewhere), I also received 40 new mechanisms, and an assortment of the front glass and the different catchers, so I can customize any of these cabinets with the model someone wants. Some of the glass I only have one or two left, some I have many. I have enough to customize all 40 machines.

They are over 60 years old. I adjust and lubricate them just like Johnny Frantz tought me how to. I am out of the circus glass, but have some of the catcher clowns with their upside down top hats above their heads to catch the ball. I have only a few of the “Pot-O-Gold” and “Basketball” glass left. I sold several dozen “Kicker Catcher” machines in the past 10 years. There are only about 16 to18 cabinets left.

I have spare mechanisms, parts, etc. so they can be serviced if needed, but so far none have needed anything. They weigh about 25 Lbs. and are cumbersome to wrap for shipment, adding about 5 Lbs for the packing materiel, and I have to buy a special shipping box. I will assemble any model, to order, if I have the glass and the catcher for that model. The prices vary slightly because of how many of each glass I have left, and the Baseball one has extra parts for the hitter.

Because I customize them to order. It can take a week to assemble the proper glass & catcher, and make all the adjustments to assure trouble free operation. The machine is made from all old original parts from the J. F. Frantz Company. And is guaranteed 100% original and in perfect condition just like Johnny would insist. When the few I have left are gone, they are gone for good. We DO NOT discount prices on these machines because they are a sure sellout.

The buyer pays for shipping based on Zip Code. The box shipped will weigh between 30 and 35 Lbs.

We ship from zip code 61063. Use www.usps.gov to calculate a rough shipping estimate.

Price . . .  $825.00

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