Machine Description

Cow Poke, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in the mid-1960s, represents a classic example of Western-themed electro-mechanical pinball machines that were popular during this era. The machine captured the romanticized spirit of the American Old West that dominated popular culture during the 1960s, particularly through television westerns and film.

The machine likely featured classic cowboy imagery including lassos, horses, and frontier scenery, consistent with Gottlieb's attention to detailed playfield art of this period. As an electro-mechanical machine, it would have utilized relay-based scoring, mechanical reels for number displays, and the distinctive sounds of chimes and bells that characterized pinball machines of this era. The playfield layout would have followed Gottlieb's proven design philosophy of the period, emphasizing precision shooting and calculated risk-reward opportunities.

While not one of Gottlieb's most famous titles, Cow Poke represents an important piece of pinball history as part of the broader Western-themed entertainment trend of its era. The machine would have been found in arcades, bowling alleys, and other entertainment venues during a time when pinball was still one of America's dominant forms of coin-operated amusement. Like many machines of this period, surviving examples are now sought after by collectors who appreciate the craftsmanship and simplicity of electro-mechanical pinball design.