I was able to get permission at an 1840s farmhouse today. I got my first crotal
bell and it's a beautiful intact bell. Ring is sweet. Anybody have a date on it?
I found my first crotal bell this past weekend. I was surprised when I saw this "big round thing" in the hole, but the instant I picked it up I knew what it was.
I read an article once where it said the bells with a single slot (-) were older than the ones with two (+). I'm assuming yours has a single slot and I see the cast tab on top. My guess is ca 1850 which fits the time frame of the house. Look for a number cast into the bell on the upper half. In this case maybe a 2 or a 3. That's the size of the bell. Nice to find a whole bell with the pea still inside.