Frequently Asked Questions
I want my sleigh bells fixed up. Can you do the work?
Yes! See Bell Restoration and Custom Projects.
What are my sleigh bells worth? Will you buy my bells?
What can you tell me about my sleigh bells?
See our "Learn more" section for Sleigh Bell Designs, Dating Bells, Fakes I: Old bells that aren't and History.
How can I polish my bells and clean up their strap?
See "Sleigh Bell Care".
Will polishing ruin the antique value of my sleigh bells?
Are there good books or other resources about sleigh bells?
There are few resources about sleigh bells in print or on the internet. The most informative printed book is Horse Bells, available from us. See also the Learn more section of our website.
What kinds of sleigh bell straps are there?
See "Bell Straps and Brackets" and "What can be Done with Sleigh Bell Straps?"
What do the numbers on some sleigh bells mean?
See "Sizing Bells"
What kind of sleigh bell sounds best?
The answer depends on the listener. See "Sleigh Bell Sound" and "About Our Bells"
Your sleigh bells are new, right?
Some are indeed brand new. They are clearly labeled as such. Some are vintage bells from the 1930s to modern times. Most are honest antiques from the horse and buggy era. See our "Learn more" section for Dating Bells, Fakes I: Old bells that aren't, Fakes II: Old straps that aren't, and About Our Bells.
What can you tell me about my ______ bell?
Our specialty is sleigh bells from North America and England. We know very little about other types of bells. I recommend contacting the American Bell Association or Brosamer's Bells. See "Links"
Is my Swiss Saignelegeir bell a valuable antique?
See " Open-mouth Bells"
What is the difference between a crotal, a horse bell, and a sleigh bell?
Were sleigh bells ever tuned to specific notes?
See "Sleigh Bell Sound"
How were sleigh bells made?
See "Crotals" and "Machine-stamped Bells"