Crotal Bell the size of a baseball and silver watch back

[hogge]

Went to a new spot with my uncle who is up from Texas. There are a series of 5 cellar holes in this area and we hunted the first one we came to. This area looks like it's going to be GOOD! Dates back to about 1730-40 from the research I have done. The best part is, it appears from the finds at the first hole, that these are untouched. I think the first hole was more around 1850's judging from the finds. The first thing I found was this baseball sized crotal bell. Then found the smaller one. Got 3 IH's and this silver watch back. Cannot seem to find these makers marks. Maybe someone can help. The top one is a "wild turkey". The next is a bow and arrow with something I cannot make out what it is, along with the letters "A N". Then a bird perched on top of an "ingot" that has "0,800". Then I guess the watch number of "718" with a small "6" below the "1". Can someone decipher? Also found a soup spoon with "Tuttle" makers mark. Closest I can come is a Boston based Tuttle Co. from 1890. Thanks...........Hogge.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Treasure of Victoria Peak - Grab it through Amazon!

[HISPAN]

Awesome Crotal bell ...congrast!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!

[Bavaria Mike]

Those bells are awesome! The .800 on the watch back is silver, European, which is probably why you are having a problem finding the makers marks. HH, Mike

 

[CRUSADER]

only seen one other crotal bell that large (it was for sale, & quite a bit older). Its a great centre piece to any collection

 

[hogge]

UPDATE: With the help of some members I have some more info on the watch back. The top symbol is a "grouse" indicating Swiss made from 1882-1934.( a different grouse marking is after 1934) Have sent an E-Mail with pics to site where they may ID the maker. Letters are "AW". inside, which looks like a "crossbow". (info from website) Don't know what the bird indicates yet. Will keep you informed. Pretty interesting.

 

[hogge]

Those bells are awesome! The .800 on the watch back is silver, European, which is probably why you are having a problem finding the makers marks. HH, Mike

Thanks Mike....You led me in the right direction!

 

[xlt nh]

Nice Finds! I dug a similar large bell in NH, but yours looks to be a bit larger. I was told that the larger ones are the rarer...their size made them easier to find and re-use.

Congrats!
~Hank

 

[True_Metal]

That large bell is a great find being still intact.

Most times they are broken.

All of mine that size found have been broken as well.

It will look great on a curio shelf.

Congrats

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Nice, That is so cool

 

[artzstuff1]

Hells bells thats a big bell!!!!!

 

[allen]

I bet you could hear that bell a mile away !!

 

[vermonster]

Buzzy ......Great lookin jingle Bell ......Been a while since ive gone out wichya....Call me...

 

[garthbfan169]

Holy Moly hogge that is an awesome bell!! WTG

 

[Wallhangers]

Great finds Hogge. I have an interesting story in regards to your large crotal. I met an older lady this spring and her mom was a historian for years and had researched her family as they first settled in our area in the 1830's. Her family had came from New York with oxen and wagons and there were 4 sets of families that made the journey together. Each team of oxen had just one large bell attached and she said that they were used as locators. Each team could hear the unmistakable sound of the large bell ahead of them through darkness and fog as they made their journey. She then pulled a full strap of crotals out of a chest to show me and her family large crotal was attached to the bottom of the strap. It was the same crotal that made the journey from New York. I have only found one piece of a crotal that size and would love to find one that big intact. Great recovery along with your others .

 

[SC Keith]

That is the coolest bell---any crotal bell is a very scarce find in my area! Congrats on your finds!
Keith

 

[MaineRelic]

Two great finds there hogge ! I absolutely love that huge crotal bell ! That silver watch back is an awesome hand engraved piece ! MaineRelic

 

[Mach1Pilot]

Now that's a bell!

It looks older than the one my son found last year that fills the palm of my hand.... http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,349782.msg2506801.html#msg2506801

 

[fieldslayer]

One more congrats! Terrific bell there Hogge. Add me to the partial , large fragment , plow busted club. Even so , can't remember ever digging a frag that would have exceeded that size....

 

[spitfire55]

 

[MiniMe]

That is one beauty of a bell....the size All great finds, looks like you've found a great spot. HH!

 

[N.J.THer]

Hogge,
You have some big bell(s) posting that on T-Net. Congrats

Love the watch cover.
NJ