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Swedish-style Bells
Swedish bells are the "big boys" of the horse bell world, often measuring 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Their size gives these bells a much louder, deeper "clanging" sound. Many Swedish bells (sometimes called Swiss bells) were made in America, then exported to Sweden, where they were very popular. A distinctive feature of the cast Swedish bells is the narrow throats (slits) that are cut into each bell after it is cast. The throats of other types of sleigh bells are usually formed during the casting process. Traditional Swedish bells are cast brass. They have a distinct ridge around the middle and a graceful tulip shape. A less common cast Swedish bell has a plump oval profile. We've nicknamed them "fat Albert" bells based on their rotund shape and the letter "A" we've seen on some. A third type, called the "improved Swedish" by its original maker, was machine stamped from heavy sheet brass. This design was touted by the manufacturer as an "improvement" of the cast Swedish bell. We suspect any improvement was mostly to the profit in the manufacturer's pockets, since machine-stamped bells are less expensive to produce than cast bells. Even so, the improved Swedish are durable, melodious bells. Because of their heft, our older Swedish bells have a loop base that allows these heavy bells to be securely attached to their strap. Newer Swedish bells dating from the mid 1900s to today have abandoned that important feature. They have a shank base and are attached to their strap with a standard figure-8 bell pin. Swedish bells are traditionally mounted on a rump (or hip) strap -- a wide, short strap of heavy leather with two to eight large bells that lies over the horse's back. The padded neck strap is a less-common design that features a dozen or so unusually small Swedish bells. The bells may be graduated in size or all the same size. The strap is made of two layers of medium weight leather that are stitched together along their long edges. Hair or other fiber is packed between the leather layers to form a padded strap. |
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| Traditional Swedish bell, 2 1/2" diameter, showing its three sawed throats. | A "fat Albert" bell with a delicate engraved design. Cast brass, about 3" diameter. | "Improved" Swedish bell. Machine stamped brass, 3 inches in diameter. |
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A slot is cut in the main bell strap for each bell. A narrow "lock" strap is cut to slide through the loop on the base of the bell. A liner strap (not shown) is cut to the same width and length as the main strap. The liner protects the horse from being irritated or pinched by the bell loop and its locking strap. A "fat Albert" bell is shown here and in the middle photo. |
The wide loop on the base of each Swedish bell is inserted through a slot in the main strap. The lock strap is then threaded through the loop on the bell to lock it onto the main strap. The liner strap (not shown) completes the leather sandwich. |
Side view of the finished rump strap with four traditional Swedish bells. The four leather loops between each pair of bells hold the main bell strap and liner strap together. |
