Rogues' Gallery: More pictures of new bells
Bell straps |
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| Bell straps | ||
| Strap of new bells with artificial rusty patina on an unlined black leather strap. |  |
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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). |
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The dark bells and the dry, cracked strap make this newer lined sleigh bell strap seem much older than it really is. The bells appear lighter in this photo than in the closeup photos below, because a flash was used for this photo. |
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| Bell colors | ||
Right: Freshly polished old bell with a lightly textured surface and crisp petal design typical of many old bells. Far right: Freshly polished new bell with mirror smooth surface finish. Note the plain block lettering of the "14" size marking and the crude petal design. |
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Right: Light oxidation on a new bell. Far right:Rusty patination -- the most common type of artificial patina I see on new sleigh bells. From the new bell strap shown above. Both photos: Note ends of the throats do not have the larger rounded opening typical of an antique petal bell. |
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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. |
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| 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. |
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Dark brown patina of new bells from the bell strap shown above. Note the block lettering on the top, heavy petal design, and lack of large opening at the end of the throat. |
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| Bell pins and keeper loops | ||
Right and far right: New, commercially made brass bell pins that have been antiqued. Ideally, both loops of a bell pin should be about the same size and should not have such heavy tool scars. |
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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. Both of these pins are irregularly shaped and are made from small diameter steel wire. |
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Right: Cotter key substitute for a bell pin. This is not recommended for safe use on horses! Far right: Old, original bell pin made of heavy wire. It has a nicely rounded shape and is about as long as the strap is wide. |
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Oblong metal staples are a recent invention. From the new bell strap shown above. Small round rivets or hand stitching were typically used 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. |
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| Buckles | ||
Right and far right: Brass halter buckles often seen on new bell straps. These buckles show normal oxidation. |
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Right: Another halter buckle sewn on with irregular stitching. From the bell strap shown above. Far right: New brass buckle similar to 1800s steel buckles. |
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| Bell size | ||
This new #18 bell measures about 3 1/4" in diameter. An antique #18 bell will be about 4" diameter. |
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