Rogues' Gallery: More pictures of new bells
Bell straps |
||
| Bell straps | ||
It is tempting to read too much into this fuzzy photo and conclude these bells are really old. The give-away is that the throat (slit) on these bells is a constant width throughout. This detail is found on nearly all modern bells. The throat on antique petal bells usually ends in a larger rounded opening. |
 |
|
| Strap of new bells with artificial rusty-orange patina on an unlined black leather strap. Don't be deceived by the "old" look and the fuzzy distant photo. Ask the seller for better closeup photos of the bells and focus on the shape and design of the bells. |  |
|
New bells with light oxidation on an unlined black leather strap. These bells show features typical of new bells: Plain block lettering; mirror smooth surface; wide, crude lines of the petal design; and no large rounded openings at the ends of the throat (slit). |
 |
|
The dark bells and the dry, cracked strap make this modern lined sleigh bell strap seem much older than it really is. The distant photo makes it difficult to make an informed opinion about these bells. I would either not make a bid on these bells or ask the seller for in-focus, closeup photos. |
 |
|
| Bell colors | ||
Right: Freshly polished antique bell. It has a lightly textured surface and crisp, delicate petal design typical of many old bells. Far right: Freshly polished modern bell. It has a mirror-smooth surface finish. Note the plain block lettering of the "14" size marking and the crude petal design. |
  |
|
Right: Light oxidation on a new bell. Note the plain block lettering of the "No 15" typical of modern bells. Far right: Rusty patination -- the most common type of artificial patina I see on new sleigh bells. Both photos: Note ends of the throats do not have the larger rounded opening typical of an antique petal bell (see above). |
  |
|
Grayish brown patination on new bells. This color can be quickly created by dipping the bells in a hot sulfur solution. It can also result from several years of natural oxidation in the open air. |
 |
|
| Greenish black and brownish gold patination
on new bells. These oxidation colors can develop on antique bells.
It would be unusual, however, to see antique bells side by side on an old strap with such different colors. |
 |
|
Brown-black patina of new bells. These modern bells are from a different maker than most modern bells shown on this page. Even so, they still have details common to other modern bells -- plain block lettering on the top, a heavy-handed petal design, and the lack of large opening at the end of the throat. |
  |
|
The old recycled leather, unusually rusty bell pins, and dark bell color of this example are deliberately meant to deceive the buyer. If you focus on the shape and design of the bells, you'll see they are modern. The leather is in much better shape than the bell pins. That doesn't seem reasonable for a truly old, original bell strap. After decades of damp storage, the leather should be as rotten as the wire is rusty. |
  |
|
| Bell pins and keeper loops | ||
Right: This is a good sign of a truly old bell strap. This original bell pin is hand made of heavy steel wire. It has a nicely rounded shape and is about as long as the strap is wide. Far right: Cotter key substitute for a bell pin. This is not recommended for safe use on horses! |
  |
|
Right: New, commercially made brass bell pin that has been antiqued. Ideally, each loop be about the same size and should not have such heavy tool scars. Far right: A triangular "hog ring" has been used as an improvised bell fastener. This is a little safer than a cotter key, but is not as desirable as a real bell pin. |
  |
|
Right: Figure 8 shaped bell pin from the new bell strap shown above. Far right: "B" shaped bell pin on the back of the new bell shown above. These bell pins are made from "potato wires", the specialized wire fasteners often used to close large sacks of potatoes or other produce. |
  |
|
Oblong metal staples are a recent invention. Small round rivets or hand stitching were typically used to fasten keeper loops in the 1800s and early 1900s. Although not especially old, this leather is dry and cracked from some years of improper care -- or perhaps some months of deliberate weathering. |
 |
|
| Buckles | ||
Brass "halter buckles" are often used on new bell straps. These buckles show normal oxidation. |
|
|
Right: Another halter buckle with a nearly-black patina. It has been sewn on with a careless line of stitching. Far right: New brass buckle similar to common steel buckles used in the late 1800s. |
  |
|
| Bell size | ||
This new #18 bell measures about 3 1/4" in diameter. An antique #18 bell will be about 4" diameter. |
 |
|
