[Bell Historians] G&J numbering in carillons and chimes (was Greenock)

[aaj buswell]

Oldenzaal in the Netherlands, 42 bells, are numbered downwards, so are Ottawa, Canada, 53 bells. Any number out of sequence may mean that the first casting was not good and replaced. Sometimes they were taken to complete a rushed order and another made. These bells can usually be detected when put into sequential order.

AAJB.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Cawley 
  To: bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Saturday, December 09, 2006 12:52 AM
  Subject: Re: [Bell Historians] G&J numbering in carillons and chimes (was Greenock)



  Chris's interesting reply to Carl's question has been my experience as well. Coventry Cathedral (cast as a chime), The Royal Exchange (chime of 13), St Matthew Jersey (chime of 8) are just three cases which come immediately to mind - all numbered from 1 (smallest) downwards.

  Question for Carl - did Cyril number his American carillons or chimes 'top down' as well?

  DLC

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Chris Pickford 
    To: bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com 
    Sent: Saturday, December 09, 2006 12:29 AM
    Subject: [Bell Historians] G&J numbering in carillons and chimes (was Greenock)



    I can certainly confirm that in the two G&J carillons I have examined and researched in detail (Bournville and Saltley), not only the serial numbers (cast on the larger bells) but also the bell numbers (incised on the tiny bells and cast on the larger ones) are in ringing order (top to bottom).  For those who don't know, I should perhaps explain that G&J usually cast both the bell number (e.g. 1 for the treble) and the serial number on each bell. The serial numbers are also recorded in the firm's records.

    The serial numbering at Bournville, incidentally, shows that it was not originally intended to recast so many of the original Taylor bells - four remain, and a further six were to have been retained until CFJ persuaded the Trustees to recast at a late stage in the job. Most of the 1934 bells are within the serial number range 4937-4974, but the replacements for six of the larger bells in the original Taylor chime (also recast in 1934) are numbered 5058-5063.  

    Copying the inscriptions off the Bournville bells was one of the scariest inspections I've ever done. Don't think I'm cut out to be a carillon maintenance engineer!

    CP


              
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