Big Boys Hobbies

Silver bell

E

edlynne

Full Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2013
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100
Location
Central MA
I found this silver bell at a tavern site from the late 1700-1800's. It came out of the ground as it is seen in the pictures. It is 2 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches high. The ringer is missing but the wear pattern from it is visible. Any idea of material, not sure if it is pewter..Thanks in advance.
 

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Last edited:
Nice find.
It's made of brass, maybe with nickel ?
Not quite sure as to the %
But not silver.
I've found two , each in the last two years.
Neither having a dinger inside....
I think that they were mounted above a door jamb and when the doors were opened, a striker or hammer would hit the bell....?
ec8c5422a09781ba38305b278271e33d.jpg
ccf1e5e4c598ee76008ec2a99c5542af.jpg
80a95590643e851469ef1f6bea1007ff.jpg


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Next time if you watch an episode of "The Andy Griffith Show" :lol:
The door at the "drug store " sounds a lot like these bells....:?:
(Maybe one could get a visual of them)
 
dirt dick said:
Nice find.
It's made of brass, maybe with nickel ?
Not quite sure as to the %
But not silver.
I've found two , each in the last two years.
Neither having a dinger inside....
I think that they were mounted above a door jamb and when the doors were opened, a striker or hammer would hit the bell....?
ec8c5422a09781ba38305b278271e33d.jpg
ccf1e5e4c598ee76008ec2a99c5542af.jpg
80a95590643e851469ef1f6bea1007ff.jpg


Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Was going to say just what dirt Dick said except for the part about finding any. In small towns some stores still have them above doors. A certain flower shop I know of immediately comes to mind.
Nice dig.

Sent from my LG-V495 using Tapatalk
 
Probably not silver, Most likely a tombac type material, copper/brass with 5-20% zinc. Either way bells are one of my favorite things to find.
 
I believe those were once used on a type of "bracket" mounted above a horses collar.
I will see if I can find a picture.
I found one a few years back and that was the story.
 
Conestoga Bell

Wow, great info, now I'm not sure if it was the bell over the door or one that was used on a horse.
 
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