Found another Crotal Bell and its huge!

[gunner45]

Found another Crotal Bell and it's huge!

Hunted a new farm today and was getting tired of digging trash in the 90 degree heat. Well I got a signal in the high 80's on my AT Pro and it showed 10+ inches
I was about to wrap things up because it felt like I got a shower from being in the heat too long, the bugs were bad and I was actually getting sick. Well, I just couldn't pass it up. I dug and dug and dug then hit slate but I continued to dig all the way down to 13 inches when I finally saw the bell
I'll post some pics later on when it's cleaned up. I can't believe the size of this thing, I found another bell a while back and it was much smaller

 

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[chrisplay2004]

Wow, thats a big one...Nice Find!

 

[Digs68]

Really neat! You must be dedicated to be out in this heat! 105 degrees here today. I'm hibernating! Ha!

 

[gunner45]

Dedicated or stupid, my wife chose the latter-ha!

 

[gunner45]

The other day I dug up 84 clad coins in high 90's
It was suffocating to say the least. I guess you could say I'm working toward my pension plan!

 

[TomPA]

Nice one. I think I heard it ringing over here in Westmoreland County when you pulled it out of the hole!

 

[gunner45]

Here's some pics with just a little cleaning with water. Believe it or not the bell still has a good jingle to it.
I can't see any numbers or inscription on the bottom to indicate who, when and where it was made. Any help would be appreciated

 

[ticm]

That's a real nice one there.

 

[TomPA]

I believe that it would be a "No. 12" in size. I have one that's a match to it, but it is unmarked as well. I have found no. 9's and a 10, but this next size is substantially bigger. I'm not sure if they made an "11". My guess as to when it was made- 1860-1900.

 

[kilmer]

One of my favorite things to find. I have a long streak of finding pieces but complete bells. My last complete one this Spring was the opposite of yours. It was the smallest one I had ever seen. Congrats on a neat find and a round of applause for even getting out in this heat.

Don
HH

 

[RelicDude]

Awesome bell there one of my Favorite finds I have yet to find an ornate one like yours

 

[gunner45]

I was really shocked when I saw the size. Tom, how many of these bells have you found over the years? This is substantially in much better condition than the other bell I found. I love the sound these make, funny thing is my wife already took it from me to hang on our wall. I guess it goes with her style! Well I guess I have to keep finding these to make her happy.

 

[TomPA]

I just went and did a count. I have found 32 so far. I have a book that tells a little about them along with some of the makers. According to it, one of the makers (Robert Wells) made "at least 32 sizes". Out of the 32 that I own, I'd say I have found about 15 different sizes, so I still have some diggin' to do! It also mentions that there were some made that measured 10" high, but I've never seen one posted/found anywhere of that size.

What I have not been able to find out is why a good number of mine have numbers on them and not the makers initials. My book also notes that a maker by the name of Geddy made bells in Williamsburg, VA in the mid-1700's, so maybe there were other American makers that were casting them as well. And maybe putting numbers on them.
I have a couple of sites to check out up along Rt 36, so at some point maybe I'll add a Bedford found bell to the collection. When the heat breaks, maybe we can search for one together.

 

[Bunker]

That is really a cool looking CB. Haven't had the chance to find one of those. Not too common down here in St. Pete.
HH,
Bunker

 

[gunner45]

Tom
That's incredible that you've found 32 of them. I can't imagine the time it took to dig all those up. If yours were as deep as mine then you certainly earned your wages.
If you ever come to Bedford shoot me an email.
Thanks for the info. Out of curiosity...not that I'll sell it but what is the price range on one this size?

 

[sepalmer]

Found this on Ebay..Hope it helps Very Large Civil War Relic Crotal Bell + 1 Dug/Varina, Virginia on eBay!

 

[Goes4ever]

That is a nice one for sure! I have dug over 30 myself in 5 yrs, and absolutely love finding them!

 

[Mole Man]

Wow, very cool. Congrats on the great find and hope you can get some details on the maker.

 

[oldsalty19]

you need these....and a few more....nice bell