Crotal or Rumbler Bell?

T

TreasurdiggrNY

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I was wondering if anyone can help with this bell. I cleaned a very very small part of it gently with some wet Q-tips so you could see the design.
It has a great looking green patina under the dried dirt, what is the best way to clean it without damaging the patina.
Is it a Crotal or a Rumbler bell? The only mark I see so far is the number 5 on the bottom. Is there anyway to determine the manufacturer and the age?
Thanks for taking a look.
Glenn
P.S. I carefully got all the caked dirt out of it and although the pellet is a little corroded it still rings.
 

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All I can say is early 1800s. The ones marked with numbers are later, from what I understand. Earlier ones frequently had makers marks.


Cool find though--especially with the iron pellet and in serviceable condition.



:thumbsup:
 

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Drilled suspension loops on 16th and 17th bells (figure 8)
Many crotal bells carry a maker’s mark, invariably located at the centre of the lower hemisphere, and often within a cartouche or dedicated area of the design. The mark may be a symbol, typically a bell-founder’s hammer or the initials of the maker, or in some cases both. Makers’ initials helpful in dating post-medieval crotal bells and establishing their chronology. (figure 17)

Here is a great site http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/pages/crotal-bells.html
 

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Gypsy Witch said:
Drilled suspension loops on 16th and 17th bells (figure 8)

Yes, but this one appears to have a cast loop.  :icon_scratch:
 

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Thank you all very much for the help, I looked at both websites thanks Gypsy Witch and Marc(NB).
Both sites have great info and have been added to my favorites. The bell I have is weird because it has some characteristics of an early type 1840's-1860's but designs and other things of a later period 1860's-1920. The other items we found at this site all fall in the 1850-1870 time period. I am comfortable having this one in the 1860-1920 time frame but closer to 1860. ;D
Thanks to you all again!! I'll call this one solved :icon_thumleft:
Glenn
 

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Yours is technically a rumbler bell as its loop was cast seperately & joined later. This indicates a later type bell probably early - mid 1800s
 

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