[Bell Historians] Bell-historians Digest, Vol 41 bell moulding wires

[Carl S Zimmerman]

There are similar problems in determining the origins of American-made cast steel bells of the 19th & early 20th century.  Produced in vast numbers, those can range in size from 14-inch farm bells to 54-inch clock bells, with every even-numbered size in between, all being put to a variety of uses.  Many that we find are anonymous imitations of the major manufacturer - the C.S.Bell Company of Hillsboro, Ohio - but some were produced by that firm on what is now called a private-label basis.  In almost all cases, any explicit identification is not on the bell itself but on the cast iron yoke (~= headstock) from which it hangs.  Therefore, many of my records say "in the style of C.S.Bell," which often means that they are clearly imitations and not un-labeled originals.

One of the items on my very long "to do" list is a photo page expanding on this theme.

Carl Scott Zimmerman, Campanologist 
Saint Louis, Missouri, USA -
 - 19th c. home of at least 37 bell founders or resellers 
Tel. +1-314-821-8437 
Webmaster for www.TowerBells.org
 * Avocation: tower bells
 * Recreation: handbells
 * Mission: church bellsWebmaster for www.TSCChapter134.orgTreasurer, World Carillon Federation
 

    On Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 05:51:03 AM CDT, c.j.pickford--- via Bell-historians <bell-historians at lists.ringingworld.co.uk> wrote:  
 
 
In answer to Matthew and Kye, I willingly concede there are similarities between Phil’s bell and the small Warner bells (Kye’s image … 121247). On the Warner bell there is a parting line below the shoulder, and the lower mouldings are of “unobtrusive profile” – standard hallmarks of bells of this type, but standard across a number of makers, some of whom are unknown.

  

I’m still doubtful Phil’s bell can be assigned to Warners with any degree of certainty – even on the basis of these similarities. Warners put their name on almost everything they made – even very small sandcast bells. Yes, it’s unarguable that others without their name may also be by them – but I would argue that the fact Warners “usually” signed should urge caution about rushing to assign bells that aren’t. 

  

On a broader point, we’re all – and I include myself – too eager to always identify a founder. There’s nothing wrong with saying “unknown” – and, indeed, it would be more honest to do so more often. The evidence should really be very strong before we go as far as saying “possibly”, stronger still before saying “probably” and concrete before we say “BY”. 

  

Chris Pickford
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