Machine Description

Bow and Arrow, released by Bally Manufacturing in 1974, represents a classic example of electro-mechanical pinball design from the mid-1970s. The machine captured the popular Native American and western themes that were prevalent in American entertainment during this era, featuring artwork and gameplay elements that reflected this motif.

The game's playfield design incorporated traditional pinball elements while integrating thematic features like tepee-shaped targets and arrow-themed scoring lanes. As an electro-mechanical machine, it utilized relay-based scoring and chime units to create its distinctive sound effects, characteristics that defined pinball machines of this period. The backglass artwork typically featured Native American imagery, consistent with the game's theme.

Bow and Arrow was produced during a significant period in pinball history, just a few years before the industry would transition to solid-state electronics. The game represents one of the later examples of pure electro-mechanical design, showcasing the refined engineering and reliability that manufacturers had achieved with this technology. While production numbers are not definitively known, machines from this era typically saw production runs of several thousand units.