Antique telephone bell(?)

[invent4hir]

All, I dug this brass bell (photos 1-3) at a farm house that has been continuously inhabited since the 1830s. At first I thought it was a bell for an antique telephone - so began to search the internet and came up with some close matches (4th & 5th photos) - or so I thought. Hoping to narrow the manufacturer and age down more, I contacted an antique telephone repair shop and a museum for input. The repair shop said he wasn't sure the bell goes to a phone and the museum says it isn't the right shape plus mine looks cast not pressed metal like bells used on old telephones. It measures 2" in diameter and is about 7/8" tall. Any other ideas as to ID and age?

 

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[KeyaPaha]

Yup! It is a counter bell. Used to set at the cash register so the customer could notify the proprietor a customer was there if they were getting something from the back storeroom or such.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I often find bells similar to this at old home sites, most of the examples I find are made of iron which means they probably came from alarm clocks.
Nice that your find is brass and has a number of identifying features on it.

Dave

 

[invent4hir]

Yup! It is a counter bell. Used to set at the cash register so the customer could notify the proprietor a customer was there if they were getting something from the back storeroom or such.

KeyaPaha, thanks that makes sense. I'll look into that ID.

 

[invent4hir]

I often find bells similar to this at old home sites, most of the examples I find are made of iron which means they probably came from alarm clocks.
Nice that your find is brass and has a number of identifying features on it.

Dave

Dave thanks I'll show it to a local historical society member who helps oversee their collection to see if he has another I can look at.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Dave thanks I'll show it to a local historical society member who helps oversee their collection to see if he has another I can look at.

You're doing a good thing by recovering, preserving and then donating your finds to local historical societies for posterity!
I sent a PM to Jeff of PA, who's a Moderator here, regarding you receiving an Honorable Mention for your preservation work and generosity but I never received a response.

Best of luck to you my friend,
Dave

 

[invent4hir]

You're doing a good thing by recovering, preserving and then donating your finds to local historical societies for posterity!
I sent a PM to Jeff of PA, who's a Moderator here, regarding you receiving an Honorable Mention for your preservation work and generosity but I never received a response.

Best of luck to you my friend,
Dave

Dave, thanks for sending the PM to Jeff of PA. One day I'll garner an honorable mention; perhaps even a banner. Until then, doing what I do, marries several hobbies I enjoy into one and results in these attractive display cases. Decades ago when I first got out of the Army and began my career - I never thought about working at something I enjoyed (like History) - rather I just worked to work. Now that I'm retired I get to do what I enjoy. Better late than never!

 

[dozer dan]

Looks too thick to be a bell of any sort.
just a wag but I’m thinking more plumbing or steam related.

 

[invent4hir]

View attachment 1767578Looks too thick to be a bell of any sort.
just a wag but I’m thinking more plumbing or steam related.

dozer dan, thanks for giving me another possibility! I'll look into it and the counter bell tonight.

 

[dozer dan]

Like I said, I’m thinking too thick to have any decent ring to it.

 

[invent4hir]

All, I’ve had a chance to look into the counter bell and steam-related suggestions and here is what I found. The majority of counter bells have a neck (see first 2 photos), which may be necessary so when you press down on the button it doesn’t mark the bell. Plus most I’ve seen are larger than 2” in diameter. The bell-shape part of steam whistles appear to be cast as part of the whistle (see photos 3 & 4) and have a solid end (see photos 3 & 4). My bell has neither of these characteristics. I decided to test the sound quality of my bell by inserting a mechanical pencil through the hole and tapping it with the metal end of a second mechanical pencil. It gave a high-pitched ring. Another possibility is that it was part of a door bell that mounts to a door and is rung by twisting a handle (see photo 5). Again, most I’ve seen are 3” in diameter or larger. I’ll keep pondering. If anyone else has a suggestion, please post.