[Bell Historians] Latchet stays, was St Barnabas, Pimlico

[Bickerton, Roderic (SELEX GALILEO, UK)]

 Latchet stays are not that big an issue.
The headstock can split, and there are many examples where this has
happened, a crack from just above the gudgeon across to the cannon cut
out.
In practice they take a faire amount of rough handling, the bell jumping
in the bearings, or in a sever case coming out completely, ending up
sitting on the frame head, without other damage.
They were used for a very long time without that many problems, and with
sensible handling, there is no problem.
I have seen plain bearings fitted with bolt down covers, but never on a
latchet.
Obviously this would be a recipe for disaster.
Obviously one would not teach on a bell with a latchet, which is
probably why they went out of use.
If a stock splits as a result of an accident, its not the end, one or 2
big box cramps around the end of the stock get it ringing again, there
are plenty of examples of this repair on now disused 3's, but it did
work well enough and for a long time. Often its other factors, not the
headstock repair that make the bells unringable.
PS if a stock goes at Pimlico I volunteer to make up some cramps, to get
it going again!
SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems Limited
Registered Office: Sigma House, Christopher Martin Road, Basildon, Essex SS14 3EL
A company registered in England & Wales.  Company no. 02426132
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