Boxed Heavy Sixer

[CincYnoTi]

I'm starting a thread to try and document what the complete packing list was for the original model of the 1977 Atari 2600 system. I plan to edit this first post to include photos, as possible, and update the packing list as info is added.

 

Here is a start:

 

Hardware:

1. Atari 2600 (heavy sixer)

2. power supply (gray)

3. RF switchbox

4. Two CX-10 joysticks, with ATARI hex discs

5. One set of paddles with Atari logo

 

Boxes & packing

1. Outer box, dated 1977. Picture of chess piece.

2. Inner cardboard "tray" box, almost as big as the outer box.

3. Two joystick cardboard boxes.

4. One paddle box.

5. One power supply box

6. 01 Combat box?

7. styrofoam wrap for RF switchbox

 

Literature/paperwork

1. Video Computer System Owner's Manual, 1977

2. Brown warranty card (for system?)

3. White business reply postcard (registration?)

4. Combat instructions

5. Original Atari game catalog with nine launch titles

6. Green warranty card (for Combat?)

Edited September 17, 2010 by CincYnoTi

[CincYnoTi]

I know there are several good threads already with detailed info on some of these items. The Official "Heavy Sixer Serial #" list is an interesting read if you have a lot of time:

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/76656-the-official-heavy-sixer-serial-%23-list/

 

I want to add links to other threads with heavy sixer info (like the gray power supply thread and anything on the CX-10s), but I couldn't find them quickly.

[Charlie_]

I know there are several good threads already with detailed info on some of these items. The Official "Heavy Sixer Serial #" list is an interesting read if you have a lot of time:

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/76656-the-official-heavy-sixer-serial-%23-list/

 

I want to add links to other threads with heavy sixer info (like the gray power supply thread and anything on the CX-10s), but I couldn't find them quickly.

 

I love those pictures. That grey power supply is fantastic looking.

I saw a set of paddles in buy/trade store just yesterday that had the atari logo on them.

I wondered why they were different than the ones I have.

[CincYnoTi]

Hmmm, there is no edit button on my posts. Here are some threads with pics of heavy sixer stuff

 

Original CX-10 joysticks:

.. The original 1977 CX-10 joysticks

.. Is this a CX-10 (pics of innards)

.. Hex discs

 

Pics of box contents:

.. Iwan's 6er

.. seanhq 6er

[CincYnoTi]

Took a bit of digging, but I finally found the thread I was looking for that has photos of the original power supply

 

.. 5th ghost power supplies

.. more PS pics

Edited September 18, 2010 by CincYnoTi

[A.J. Franzman]

There's another version of the H6 power supply not shown in either of those topics. It's nearly identical in appearance to the one 5th ghost calls an "Atari Pong" supply (item on the left in the third image from the left), but IIRC has correct VCS output specs (9 VDC, 500 mA).

[Dino]

I dont think you can put together a definitive list, as i think there are quite a few different versions of the H6er packing. For example, this NIB H6er was listed recently on ebay and from this photo of the innards, you can see it is very different from the one pictured above...

[CincYnoTi]

I dont think you can put together a definitive list, as i think there are quite a few different versions of the H6er packing. For example, this NIB H6er was listed recently on ebay and from this photo of the innards, you can see it is very different from the one pictured above...

 

Actually, I think we can put together that list for the "original 1977" heavy sixer. After some time, Atari changed power supplies, dropped the hex discs, changed the packing, changed the owner's manual from 1977 to 1978 copyright, etc.

 

That recent auction is a good example of packing that is NOT consistent with the "original" 1977 release. Actually, that interior cardboard box is more commonly found with a light sixer. That auction could be a Frankenstein job, with pieces from various things put together to look like a "new" system. Check out this auction for a 1978 heavy sixer:

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 230515514082

 

It has the larger cardboard tray and the auction claims it is a later 1978 version. Also the auction states it was new and only opened to show the contents. If this late 1978 box still contained the larger tray, then it seems unlikely a 1977 box would contain the light sixer interior box.

 

I see plenty of obvious mix-n-match "complete" boxed Atari games (such as a Sears gatefold box with Atari instructions and picture label cart). So it would be no surprise to see a "complete" heavy-sixer on ebay that was assembled from components from various years.

[falcon_]

Actually, I think we can put together that list for the "original 1977" heavy sixer. After some time, Atari changed power supplies, dropped the hex discs, changed the packing, changed the owner's manual from 1977 to 1978 copyright, etc.

...

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 230515514082

...

 

Wow! Well this whole thread is a thrill to see those photos. Many young memories come crying back with a rush. lol

My VCS was/is a LightSixer, but I had that kind of card-boxing, long gone now, so it's very trippy to see.

 

Incidentally, that ebay auction has a photo of the beautiful new VCS, however I see a possible dent above the Reset Sw.

Not trying to hurt any sale, simply noticed... But I still can't believe it is so New!!

 

Only thing I thought to keep in high condition when I was young was the first issue of Transformers...

...back to reality

 

falcon_

[Dino]

I dont think you can put together a definitive list, as i think there are quite a few different versions of the H6er packing. For example, this NIB H6er was listed recently on ebay and from this photo of the innards, you can see it is very different from the one pictured above...

 

Actually, I think we can put together that list for the "original 1977" heavy sixer. After some time, Atari changed power supplies, dropped the hex discs, changed the packing, changed the owner's manual from 1977 to 1978 copyright, etc.

 

That recent auction is a good example of packing that is NOT consistent with the "original" 1977 release. Actually, that interior cardboard box is more commonly found with a light sixer. That auction could be a Frankenstein job, with pieces from various things put together to look like a "new" system. Check out this auction for a 1978 heavy sixer:

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 230515514082

 

It has the larger cardboard tray and the auction claims it is a later 1978 version. Also the auction states it was new and only opened to show the contents. If this late 1978 box still contained the larger tray, then it seems unlikely a 1977 box would contain the light sixer interior box.

 

I see plenty of obvious mix-n-match "complete" boxed Atari games (such as a Sears gatefold box with Atari instructions and picture label cart). So it would be no surprise to see a "complete" heavy-sixer on ebay that was assembled from components from various years.

Very interesting indeed! That picture I posted was of a mint, "freshly opened" Heavy 6er (Iwan posted the auction in the Auction Forum) and the console and everything looks totally unplayed. It definately doesnt look like a frankenstein job. The other thing is I've seen plenty of light sixers and 4 swtichers with the larger tray packing and also plenty of heavy sixers with the packing from my photo. I'm certain Atari did a lot of its own mix-n-match. I'm not certain though which packing was released first but for some reason I walways thought the larger tray came later.

 

EDIT: Here's the link to the auction posted by Iwan.

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 130421461703

 

As you can see, the serial no. in 79k, which would put it fair and square in the first release category and it certainly doesnt look like a frankenstein job

[Bronty]

nice set!

[seanhq]

@CincYnoTi: Here is a thread I posted back in December 2009 which shows my complete in box 1977 heavy sixer. As you will see in the pictures, my inner box is different compared to yours, but I can confirm 100% that what you see in my pictures is what came with my unit since it's been in my family since October 1977.

[CincYnoTi]

@CincYnoTi: Here is a thread I posted back in December 2009 which shows my complete in box 1977 heavy sixer. As you will see in the pictures, my inner box is different compared to yours, but I can confirm 100% that what you see in my pictures is what came with my unit since it's been in my family since October 1977.

 

I'm not sure which one you are referring to as "mine". None of the pics are mine. The recent one sold on ebay has a much different larger box (posted by Dino). The main inner tray from your post (it is linked in one of my subsequent posts) looks the same as the one in my first post (must get edit priv's from Al). I'll add it to this post so people don't have to jump around. I can't tell for sure, but the paddles box looks different...does it have the circular cutouts for the knobs? Also, what does the joystick box look like? Since it is covered by the owner's manual, I can't tell if it is a single box or two boxes, one for each joystick.

Edited September 28, 2010 by CincYnoTi

[seanhq]

@CincYnoTi: Here is a thread I posted back in December 2009 which shows my complete in box 1977 heavy sixer. As you will see in the pictures, my inner box is different compared to yours, but I can confirm 100% that what you see in my pictures is what came with my unit since it's been in my family since October 1977.

 

I'm not sure which one you are referring to as "mine". None of the pics are mine. The recent one sold on ebay has a much different larger box (posted by Dino). The main inner tray from your post (it is linked in one of my subsequent posts) looks the same as the one in my first post (must get edit priv's from Al). I'll add it to this post so people don't have to jump around. I can't tell for sure, but the paddles box looks different...does it have the circular cutouts for the knobs? Also, what does the joystick box look like? Since it is covered by the owner's manual, I can't tell if it is a single box or two boxes, one for each joystick.

The link to the thread I posted is to my personal heavy sixer. Sorry for the confusion.

 

As for my boxes, yes the paddle box has the cutouts for the knobs and the joysticks have their own box too. The owners manual is in a plastic bag and inside under the manual is all the other paperwork, cards, etc. I'll take more pictures down the road and post them.

[CincYnoTi]

Here is a close-up of the switchbox from one of my heavy-sixers.

 

seanhq, how many joystick boxes: one or two?

 

The photo in post 1 shows one joystick box.

The photo in post 7 shows two joystick boxes.

The photo in post 13 (seanhq's sixer) looks like a single joystick box, but it is the same length as the paddle box.