Quintette

Quintette, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in the late 1930s, represents a significant piece of pre-war pinball history. The machine emerged during a pivotal era when pinball was evolving from simple bagatelle-style games into more sophisticated mechanical amusements, helping establish many of the foundational elements of pinball design that would influence the industry for decades to come.

The game's name 'Quintette' likely refers to its scoring system or playfield layout, possibly featuring five primary scoring elements or targets. Like other machines of its era, it would have featured mechanical score counters, bells, and simple electrical circuits powered by batteries or wall current. The playfield would have been illuminated by standard light bulbs, with classic art deco styling typical of the period.

As with many pre-war pinball machines, Quintette would have been manufactured during a time when pinball was facing increasing scrutiny and regulation in many cities, particularly New York. These machines helped establish pinball's legitimacy as a skill-based amusement device rather than a gambling machine. The craftsmanship of these early Gottlieb games was notably high, using quality woods and metals that have allowed many examples to survive to the present day.