1841 bell identification?

[Az Old Noob]

I've been reading here for a while and thought maybe someone here could tell me something about this bell.
It's 8.5" across the bottom, 4.5" across the top, 6.5" high to the shoulder, and about 1/4" thick. I think it may be bronze.
The design on one side is badly worn, so I put some baby powder in it to try to bring out some extra detail.
There is no name, or other marking, on the bell.
It has a wonderful tone that lasts a LONG time.
I've been looking for info for a few years, but these are the first pictures I've been able to get that actually showed any kind of detail. Hope they show up.

 

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[Idig4beer]

This looks like a old navy ships bell?? This one in the photo was from 1871 and is selling for $4700.00 . I'd keep that and do some research on it. Idig

 

[Az Old Noob]

I was told years back that it was a railroad bell, but after looking around, I don't think I believe it. A ships bell sounds/looks more likely.
I'd be very happy if it was worth anywhere close to that bell pictured in your post.

 

[justine093]

I also think it might be a ship bell.
The link below is for a what is believed to be a WWII German ship bell.
what I think is interesting and is worth looking into is that
the engraving of what looks like a bird is on this bell
(very similar to your bell)
maybe denoting the bell company or the country

http://ahoy.tk-jk.net/Letters/ShipsbellfromtheGrafSpeeo.html

by the way....nice bell!!!

 

[Az Old Noob]

That looks a lot like the bell. The ridges around the bottom, the raised platform under the attachment point on top, and the engraving.

Now I have a better idea of where to look. I always assumed (yeah, I know ) that it was an American bell.

Thank you.

You guys are good.

 

[Montana Jim]

Well done justine093 !!!

I think you're as close as you're going to get to IDing that bell...

 

[Az Old Noob]

I fear you may be right. I've spent the last little while searching through sites from Google, but I'm not having much luck...yet. I'd guess I'm about to learn more about bells than I ever dreamed of knowing , if the kids and wife will let me at the computer.

 

[trusty]

I'm probably wrong, but I thought ship's bells had the name of the ship on them??

 

[taropatch]

What a beautiful bell. It's amazing that if it is the same company that manufactured these as the one on the German ship Graf Spee that it had been in business for a long time 1841 (or earlier) through WWII.

Well you can use this as a dinner bell for the family

 

[Montana Jim]

I'm probably wrong, but I thought ship's bells had the name of the ship on them??

It was probebly not a ships bell... but a spectacular bell nontheless... could have been used for almost anything... school, factory, fire wagon... who knows?

 

[Idig4beer]

Old Nob,Just a thought,but most "Bell Makers" stamped a name,or location it was made. You might get some good ole Brasso" and start buffing the Bell!!! Then maybe you'll see some other writing.Its a great piece to keep and put up at your house.Would make a great dinner bell or in my case I can ring it when I'm out of "beer" and the wife can fetch me another one. Idig

 

[Angelo]

or in my case I can ring it when I'm out of "beer" and the wife can fetch me another one.

Now...That's impressive!! Ican't even intimidate my Grandson into fetching beer.

Lucky fella!

Tony

 

[Az Old Noob]

Never needed to use it for a dinner bell, come time to eat, everybody's ready and waiting. I used to use on Christmas morn to wake the house . If I tried to use it to get the wife to bring me beer, I would probably get the beer upside the head.

I have given this thing a serious look over for any other markings. If they were there, they ain't no more. And I don't really want to polish it. I don't think it would look as good.

Trusty, I'm inclined to believe you're right about the ship's name on the bell.

 

[justine093]

try this site, they may be able to steer you in the right direction:

http://www.brosamersbells.com/current/index.html

 

[Az Old Noob]

try this site, they may be able to steer you in the right direction:

http://www.brosamersbells.com/current/index.html

I sent them an e-mail, but I don't expect much to come from it. After sending it, I looked around their site and noticed they do appraisals for a fee (which is ok, I'm not knocking them for that).

 

[dg39]

try this site, they may be able to steer you in the right direction:

http://www.brosamersbells.com/current/index.html

I can guarantee its not a plantation bell. I would lean in the direction of school or ship bell.
DG

 

[Monty]

Under that brosamers bells, it looks a lot like a cupola bell, #C287 under "onhand" topic. Monty

 

[caztraz]

Hi I have a bell the very same as yours did you find out what it was used for as i have come to a dead end thanks

 

[henpitts]

Late reply to this thread but another recycle center sent me an image of the same bell and wants info. Just now researching for him.

 

[A2coins]

Great Id nice Bell hope you get a chance to get the computer. lol