Locating Serial Numbers on a Pinball Machine:

Finding serial numbers on a game can sometimes be quite challenging. They are commonly hidden, painted over, destroyed or just in non-obvious places. The main difficulty is that manufacturers put their serial numbers in a variety of places in and out of the game and then they often changed the location of the serial number as time went on. Several manufacturers used a consistent numbering system for many years and others changed their formats often. In addition, there are frequently numbers on a game that might not be the serial number at all, it could be a part number, an inspector number or something that has no connection to the actual serial number at all.

This page is a reference on how to locate serial numbers for all manufacturers in the database. The nice part is that you can add your own tips and suggestions for other people to read as well. I have added initial comments on the information that I have from Bill Ung out of the original Internet Pinball Project (now defunct). Feel free to submit new information on serial number locations specific to each manufacturer and appropriate time period.