Sleigh bell

[ho_agie]

Finally got out to an old homestead, no coin but I did find some forks, a spoon, and a sleigh bell. Nothing special about the utensils but the sleigh bell was an interesting find. It is marked with an 8 on the bottom, is brass, and has good weight to it. I am guessing it is a cast bell, but if anyone knows anything about age or manufacture I'd like to know. It has patina and I'm tempted to leave it as is, thoughts?

 

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[Elvis]

Welcome, cool finds. Congrats!

 

[CarolinaDigs]

wonderful finds

 

[lumbercamp]

I'd never clean the patina off an old sleigh bell. Nothing is uglier then a bright shiny antique bell. Only my thoughts.

 

[PBK]

Also called crotal or petal bells.:

http://classicbells.com/info/BellDesign/Petal/Petal.htm

Scroll about halfway down the page at:

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

 

[dugupfinds]

PBK bet me to it again.

Crotal bells are the early version of the Rumbler Bell which yours is. ie. its cast in 2 pieces, the loop being joined later. The Crotal bells are cast in one piece.

Most of them (80%) were produced by the Wells factory/foundry in the UK. George Wells started the foundry making Church Bells.

Yours is a sheep or goat bell probably late 1700 to early 1800s.

DO NOT CLEAN.

 

[tenbears]

very nice 8)finds

 

[romeo-1]

Nice bell...definietly keep it as is!

 

[DJ_Quinn]

That's a great find, enjoy looking at it just the way it is!

 

[nealb]

Ho_agie - Welcome to TNet. Man that bell is a sweet find. Those kinds of finds are what make treasure hunting such a thrill.

 

[randall61]

nice finds ..like the bell

 

[cntrydncr1]

I want one of those! I'm sure I am looking in the wrong places though...tot lots, beach, ball fields. Well maybe one day I will get to an old farmhouse cause those bells are on my list of things to find. BTW...I am totally obsessed with this hobby. Just yesterday I told my hubby....I just have to find one more coin before I come home...starting to sound like a detectorholic.

 

[ho_agie]

Yes, it is staying as is with the great patina. Thanks for the posts and the information on origin. I hope to find more interesting things at the site this year.