anyone know how old this bell may be? name? material?

[figgins diggins]

found this little bell a while back while arrowhead hunting. Was on a prehistoric/ historic mix kind of old house site. Have heard these were sometimes traded to native americans early on. Could be as young as 1960 or so though, last time site was occupied as far as I know. It is approximately 1 and 1/2 inches at widest, has a number 4 visible in pic 1 and some designs. Still has its dinger too, but cracked in a couple places and looks like missing a ring or something for attaching on top. Any info greatly appreciated.

 

[Mike in Berks]

Nice find I think you have a petal or horseshoe bell
Here's a good site to learn about them ........... http://classicbells.com/info/Info.htm

click on Learn More on the top of the page

 

[whispers]

Agree with mike a horse bell

 

[shaun7]

Crotal bell

 

[figgins diggins]

thank you Mike. Great site you sent me to there. By what I learned it would place this bell in mid-1800's. Not as old as some, but older than many. Kinda tempted to polish now after seeing the other bells on that site.

Nice piece of identification there. Very good.

 

[figgins diggins]

Dead Ringer for one, anyway.

 

[shaun7]

See these


http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/pages/crotal-bells.html

 

[Mike in Berks]

thank you Mike. Great site you sent me to there. By what I learned it would place this bell in mid-1800's. Not as old as some, but older than many. Kinda tempted to polish now after seeing the other bells on that site.

Nice piece of identification there. Very good.

Glad i could help you out figgins diggins
shaun7 posted a good web site too check it out As far as shining it up it's up to you
All the ones i've found ....... i just use a soft tooth brush and water to rinse the dirt off

HH Mike

 

[figgins diggins]

See these


http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/pages/crotal-bells.html

Another very educational site for anyone who wants to learn about bells. Thank you very much. Hooda thunk these little bells had been around that long? Didn't change a whole lot in hundreds of years either. Good stuff.