An old bell with mysterious markings

[lenmac65]

This weekend I searched the site of a former farm that operated from the late 1700s until the late 1800s. Best find was this little open mouth bell, probably for a harness or horse. I have never seen one quite like it. The diameter is only 1 1/4 inches, and the shank is sort of large and crudely drilled. The markings are interesting to me, though I’m not sure if they mean anything or not. I searched online for some information on bells like this one, but have struck out thus far. I am hoping this bell is 18th century. If anyone has some thoughts on the bell or its age, I would love to hear them. The only other finds I had at the site were the two oxen shoes and a corroded button (the dime is for size reference only). Thanks for looking. Good luck out there.

 

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[Blackfoot58]

Very nice bell. The design reminds me of a bird wing pattern I’ve seen. At such a small size, it could have hung in a birdcage. The later ones were generally tin, or thin-wall brass. Maybe some older ones were heavier. Maybe it’s no too, I’m just “supposing”. Thanks for showing it.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

A great looking Bell !

 

[ARC]

Brass bell made in India... similar to this...

 

[ARC]

See yours... ?

 

[scruggs]

Cool find you made!

 

[Trezurehunter]

Neat looking bell. Nice find.

 

[lenmac65]

See yours... ?

View attachment 2079439

Thanks ARC! Although I cannot zoom in close enough to see the markings, the one second from the left looks like the same shape as mine. Being from India would explain the unfamiliar markings too. Looks like you can still buy these bells. I am no longer thinking 18th century, but I wonder how long it takes for them to get this aged look underground. I also wonder how it found its way to the edge of a stonewall-lined road in the woods heading away from an old farm. Who knows, maybe a somewhat recent person on horseback? Hard to imagine bells like this in 18th or 19th century America, but I am not qualified to opine. Thanks again for the ID and for taking the time to attach photos - I appreciate it.

 

[lenmac65]

Very nice bell. The design reminds me of a bird wing pattern I’ve seen. At such a small size, it could have hung in a birdcage. The later ones were generally tin, or thin-wall brass. Maybe some older ones were heavier. Maybe it’s no too, I’m just “supposing”. Thanks for showing it.

Thanks for the ideas and comments. While the wing motif sounded promising, I do believe ARC ID’d it for me as a bell from India.

 

[ARC]

Thanks ARC! Although I cannot zoom in close enough to see the markings, the one second from the left looks like the same shape as mine. Being from India would explain the unfamiliar markings too. Looks like you can still buy these bells. I am no longer thinking 18th century, but I wonder how long it takes for them to get this aged look underground. I also wonder how it found its way to the edge of a stonewall-lined road in the woods heading away from an old farm. Who knows, maybe a somewhat recent person on horseback? Hard to imagine bells like this in 18th or 19th century America, but I am not qualified to opine. Thanks again for the ID and for taking the time to attach photos - I appreciate it.

Not too long at all... it depends on soil conditions.
Here... it would look like that in a month... maybe even less... and perhaps look even worse if saltier soils.

 

[lenmac65]

Not too long at all... it depends on soil conditions.
Here... it would look like that in a month... maybe even less... and perhaps look even worse if saltier soils.

Interesting… thank you. Still a unique find for me, though I guess I am comparatively happier with my oxen shoes now😁.

 

[ARC]

Interesting… thank you. Still a unique find for me, though I guess I am comparatively happier with my oxen shoes now😁.

Well... beings i have found those same types of bells before... and you found an oxen shoe and i have not.

You got one on me :P

 

[pepperj]

Thanks ARC! Although I cannot zoom in close enough to see the markings, the one second from the left looks like the same shape as mine. Being from India would explain the unfamiliar markings too. Looks like you can still buy these bells. I am no longer thinking 18th century, but I wonder how long it takes for them to get this aged look underground. I also wonder how it found its way to the edge of a stonewall-lined road in the woods heading away from an old farm. Who knows, maybe a somewhat recent person on horseback? Hard to imagine bells like this in 18th or 19th century America, but I am not qualified to opine. Thanks again for the ID and for taking the time to attach photos - I appreciate it.

This enlargement might be a tad larger.
The bell loop is crudely done, casting waste still in the loop.
Though the ringer has rusted away-that could of happened in a few decades.
Cool recovery though, and still it could be old as India has a thing going for it-if works well, no sense changing it.
So they have things that are just made the same regardless of time (eras)
That's was one of the most fascinating things about the country.

 

[oldmxrat]

Thanks ARC! Although I cannot zoom in close enough to see the markings, the one second from the left looks like the same shape as mine. Being from India would explain the unfamiliar markings too. Looks like you can still buy these bells. I am no longer thinking 18th century, but I wonder how long it takes for them to get this aged look underground. I also wonder how it found its way to the edge of a stonewall-lined road in the woods heading away from an old farm. Who knows, maybe a somewhat recent person on horseback? Hard to imagine bells like this in 18th or 19th century America, but I am not qualified to opine. Thanks again for the ID and for taking the time to attach photos - I appreciate it.

My brother is in a Harley club and all the guys have those little Indian made bells attached to their bikes, some kind of good luck thing to keep them safe on the road. They call them 'Guardian Bells', and I'll bet yours fell off a bike.

 

[lenmac65]

This enlargement might be a tad larger.
The bell loop is crudely done, casting waste still in the loop.
Though the ringer has rusted away-that could of happened in a few decades.
Cool recovery though, and still it could be old as India has a thing going for it-if works well, no sense changing it.
So they have things that are just made the same regardless of time (eras)
That's was one of the most fascinating things about the country.

View attachment 2079456

Thanks for the comments, insights, and photo. It is a cool bell and might have some age to it, but does not seem tied to the history of the property like I had hoped. Oh well. This is my first India relic, so that is something though. Thanks again!

 

[lenmac65]

My brother is in a Harley club and all the guys have those little Indian made bells attached to their bikes, some kind of good luck thing to keep them safe on the road. They call them 'Guardian Bells', and I'll bet yours fell off a bike.

Thanks! That is a plausible and interesting theory. I was also thinking perhaps it came off a large dog on a walk. Could still be off a harness, I suppose, just a couple hundred years or so later than I was hoping 😁.

 

[Gare]

VERY NICE FIND CONGRATULATIONS !!

 

[KodyB]

This weekend I searched the site of a former farm that operated from the late 1700s until the late 1800s. Best find was this little open mouth bell, probably for a harness or horse. I have never seen one quite like it. The diameter is only 1 1/4 inches, and the shank is sort of large and crudely drilled. The markings are interesting to me, though I’m not sure if they mean anything or not. I searched online for some information on bells like this one, but have struck out thus far. I am hoping this bell is 18th century. If anyone has some thoughts on the bell or its age, I would love to hear them. The only other finds I had at the site were the two oxen shoes and a corroded button (the dime is for size reference only). Thanks for looking. Good luck out there.
View attachment 2079411View attachment 2079412View attachment 2079413View attachment 2079414

Cool bell. It does look like the ones made in India.

 

[Digger RJ]

This weekend I searched the site of a former farm that operated from the late 1700s until the late 1800s. Best find was this little open mouth bell, probably for a harness or horse. I have never seen one quite like it. The diameter is only 1 1/4 inches, and the shank is sort of large and crudely drilled. The markings are interesting to me, though I’m not sure if they mean anything or not. I searched online for some information on bells like this one, but have struck out thus far. I am hoping this bell is 18th century. If anyone has some thoughts on the bell or its age, I would love to hear them. The only other finds I had at the site were the two oxen shoes and a corroded button (the dime is for size reference only). Thanks for looking. Good luck out there.
View attachment 2079411View attachment 2079412View attachment 2079413View attachment 2079414

Nice!!! Congrats!!!