Fakes II: Old Straps that Aren't
Straps
Bell pins, buckles, and other fasteners
Case studies
Just because a strap of sleigh bells looks old and was found hanging in an old barn does not mean the piece is truly an antique.
When looking for antique sleigh bells, you should focus mainly on the age of the bells themselves, but the leather straps and the overall appearance of a sleigh bell piece can offer important clues. My goal in this article is to help you identify "instant antique" bell straps that appear to be old, but are not legitimate antiques.
First, some definitions:
When I use the term "antique" on this website, I am specifically talking about bells made during the "horse and buggy times". Antique North American sleigh bells date from the 1700s through the 1920s.
When I use the terms "new" or "modern" or "vintage" or "reproduction", I am referring to sleigh bells made after the era of horse transportation -- from the 1930s through today.
After reading this article, see also Fakes I: Old Bells that Aren't, Dating Bells, and Bell Designs for more information. You can also compare the antique and new bells we have for sale.
Straps with bells in perfect condition are either straps of new bells or straps with antique bells hand picked by a collector. At least a few bells on any all-original antique strap will show at least a hairline crack or two or even more significant damage or defects.
Sleigh bell straps are produced by modern manufacturers in a limited number of designs. Many of these commercially produced straps are sold for a fair price as new product, but some are artificially antiqued to look old and weathered. These straps are often sold for considerably more money as "instant antiques". Whether weathered or new looking, these commercial straps have some common characteristics:
Most of these straps have one big petal bell in the center with smaller bells on either side graduatiing evenly to small bells at the ends. The center bell on these straps is often a size #12, #13, #15 or #18 bell and the smallest bells at the ends are usually #1 bells.
Another commercially produced strap often converted into an "instant antique" is the "odd-even" petal bell strap. This style usually has a #15 petal bell in the center, odd numbered bells on one side of the strap (from a #13 bell to a #1 bell), and even numbered bells on the other (from a #14 to a #2).
Other "instant antique" straps are one-of-a-kind pieces where new bells, usually with an antiqued finish, are put on leather recycled from old horse harness. The recycled straps often have odd stitch lines, holes, and other evidence that the leather has been "repurposed". The sizes and arrangement of the bells on these straps will vary from commercially produced straps, depending on the maker's whim.
Left: New strap of bells bought from a wholesaler. The bells were allowed to tarnish and the strap was sold as an "antique". The leather is decidedly black and shows no evidence of use or age. The bell pins are not rusty, which seems odd on a bell strap that is supposed to be "antique". Middle: Another new black strap with tarnished new bells. The buckle is solid brass -- not typical of a truly old strap. Right: New bells on recycled leather. The rusty patina on these bells is the clearest indicator that this is an "instant antique".
Left: New bells with a dark, splotchy rust color on a strap made of recycled leather. This strap was touted as a genuine "antique". Middle: Close up of the same strap showing a new bell pin, freshly cut leather, lines of stitching along the leather that would not be seen on a real bell strap, and an untarnished copper rivet. Right: Another "antique strap" with recycled leather, a fresh copper rivet, and a new bell with a deep brown patina. The dee and rivet at the end of this strap is an easy way to create an "antique" strap without the fuss of installing a buckle.
Left: Three rows of stitching holes are a telltale sign that the leather is not an original bell strap. Right: 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.
Left:. New bells with light oxidation on an unlined black leather strap. Even though the strap and bells shout "New!" to me, someone accepted the seller's word at face value and paid an antique price for this strap.
Bell pins, buckles, and other fasteners
Left: Antique figure-8 bell pin made of heavy steel wire with a definite coat of rust. The pin has the nicely rounded shape formed by someone who knew what he was doing. Middle: Modern cotter key substitute for a bell pin -- 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.
Left: 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 effective as a figure-8 bell pin. Middle: Irregularly shaped, lightweight bell pin made from a "potato wire", a specialized fastener used to close large sacks of potatoes or other produce Right: Another potato-wire bell pin. These pins are too thin and soft to give long service.
Left and middle: Brass "halter buckles" are often used on new bell straps. These buckles show normal oxidation. Right: New brass buckle with a black patina on a weathered black strap.
Above: 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 deliberate weathering.
Case Study 1 -- Left: Overall view of the strap looks promising -- the buckle is intact on the strap and the leather is older. The bells have a fairly consistent color that appears natural in this photo. Middle: A closup view of the strap shows an odd line of stitching that has no purpose on a bell strap, an indicator of a recycled strap. One bell has an odd patch of rusty color (far right). Right: The larger bell to the left of the buckle does not have a larger, round opening at the end of the throat (slit) as an antique petal bell should. Other bells on the strap also appear to have a constant width throat.
Case Study 1, continued -- Left: The buckle and the leather folded over the buckle look genuinely old. The cut on the end of the main strap is fresh, however, and the buckle has been carelessly fastened onto the strap with a copper rivet. These details indicate a recent, sloppy "repair". Middle: The bell pin is irregularly shaped, is made of lighter weight wire, and has no rust. It does not look especially old. Right: A closer look at this bell shows the coarse ornamentation typical of a modern petal bell.
Case Study 1 conclusion: This piece is a set of new bells installed on a recycled leather strap.
Case Study 2 -- Left: This strap is in poor shape -- it is missing its buckle and tongue ends and has at least one repair in the center of the strap. The bells have an even, natural golden-brown color. Middle: A ring has been crudely fastened onto one end of the strap with a piece of lighter-colored leather and a copper rivet. This repair may indicate the strap is recycled leather, but the picture is inconclusive. Right: The bell pin is well formed. The wire is thicker than the bell pin in Case Study 1. The wire thickness, symmetrical shape, and light coating of rust are consistent with an older bell pin.
Case Study 2, continued -- Left: The #4 bell has a casting defect on the top. Its petal ornamentation is crisp, delicate, and well formed. Both are typical of an antique bell. Right: A second bell shows stress cracks that are consistent with heavy use. Again, the ornamentation is typical of an antique petal bell. Both photos: These bells clearly have larger rounded openings at the ends of their throats -- a key characteristic of antique petal bells.
Case Study 2 conclusion: This piece is a set of antique bells on an older strap. It is not clear whether the strap is a badly damaged original or a piece of recycled leather.