Really cool bell, looking for any info!!!

[IAMZIM]

Found a big bell today along with my 7th "Anaconda the Capital of Montana" political pen. (So far I think I have the record for finding the most of these. Also found a cool Italian coin, 5 centesimi 1862. If anyone can tell me anything about the bell I would be greatful, is it a school bell? I don't know what kind of bell it is, or what the words on it mean, or if the bell really is from 1878. Be really great if somone might know! Thanks for looking! <---Has a crack in it, =( It's still cool tho...

 

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[jewelerguy]

seen those posted from time to time. from what I've read they are a swiss made cow bell. 1878 was probably the original design or patent date

 

[Greylock]

Looks like a cow bell. Not sure about the age. The lack of patina makes the think more modern.

 

[IAMZIM]

Found some info on the bell, sounds like it was mass produced and the date is possibly when the foundery it was made in was established. Not worth much but still a neat find imo.

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

Lack of patina is a good point. But still large, and hard to loose, hence hard to find. I'd like one.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Here is some information I got off the Internet.

"Saignelegier is a town in Switzerland, Chiantel is the name of the company which produced your bell. Fondeur means foundry. It is a French word. I guess the 1878 is the date the foundry was created. Today some bells are still made by this company."

"Original Bells have deep Bas Relief and are heavier than modern reproductions. They had finely machined rim. Reproductions of these bells were made in the US by Bevin Brothers and available in various sizes through the 1960s. Bevin Bells were cast Brass and had a steel clapper on a steel wire suspended from a loop in the crown of the bell. The bas relief was shallow, rough and the rim was not machined."
Harry Long, MD
Hope this helps. Fantastic find! H Digs!