Tombac Crotal bell?

jangrok

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Found at an old grist mill ruins in eastern Pennsylvania. I’ve pulled Crotal bells before that were bronze/brass but this came out silver and shiny. If my research is correct, I believe it is white Tombac, they would add 1% arsenic to the alloy that would give it the silver appearance. I found this info from an old treasurenet post here from someone else who found a similar bell. Also on that post a commenter said the bell was circa mid 1700s to early 1800s. It’s also I believe a Crotal bell that would be riveted to a leather strap

So my questions for those more knowledgeable than me:

Is it white tombac?

Is the date of mid 1700s to early 1800s correct?

Also any other info would be appreciated!
8CC71DF0-F519-4307-9A02-EE0762DA2EDA.jpeg
 

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E-Trac-Ohio

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Great find !

Look for initials /makers marks on the bottom of the Bell.
If it's stamped - Google search "Dating Crotal Bells" - the website will tell you the who and when about the mfg.
Most of the ones I've found were mfg. in England in the 1800's.
 

cudamark

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What does it look like cleaned up?
 

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jangrok

jangrok

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Great find !

Look for initials /makers marks on the bottom of the Bell.
If it's stamped - Google search "Dating Crotal Bells" - the website will tell you the who and when about the mfg.
Most of the ones I've found were mfg. in England in the 1800's.
appreciate the info, no initials or makers marks though. had success on that website with other crotal bells
 

Digger RJ

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Found at an old grist mill ruins in eastern Pennsylvania. I’ve pulled Crotal bells before that were bronze/brass but this came out silver and shiny. If my research is correct, I believe it is white Tombac, they would add 1% arsenic to the alloy that would give it the silver appearance. I found this info from an old treasurenet post here from someone else who found a similar bell. Also on that post a commenter said the bell was circa mid 1700s to early 1800s. It’s also I believe a Crotal bell that would be riveted to a leather strap

So my questions for those more knowledgeable than me:

Is it white tombac?

Is the date of mid 1700s to early 1800s correct?

Also any other info would be appreciated! View attachment 2067246
Very Cool!!! Congrats!!!
 

pepperj

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Its technically a Sleigh Bell not a Crotal Bell, most likely late 19th C. Might be tombac.
Exactly a Crotal has a loop attachment where a sleigh (rumble ref. sometimes) has the attachment that went through wood/leather backing. This was a rivet or similar made from iron. (Hence the rust)
Tombac - Yes I tend to agree-made where-that's a hard one to pin down.
Good find-congrats
 

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