Antique large Church Bell 30" used daily in church

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This bell is right out of Church. A rare, highly collectable antique in very good condition. This is a C.S. Bell Co #30 (30" bell bottom diameter) cast iron Church Bell located in an actual Church in the Newberry, South Carolina area. Two churches are merging together and one church is being sold so is your opportunity to own a real church bell (this is NOT a farm or a school bell). The bell and frame is intact and is 38 inches high by 40 1/2 inches wide and deep and the wheel is 32 inches in diameter. This bell is over 100 years old and was made between 1882 and 1905. T is a small section missing from the frame (see pictures) that has not appeared to effect the stability or structure of the frame. This is a BIG bell with a LOUD, POWERFUL and beautiful tone that carries for miles. The bell will be removed from the picture's fixed location and securely mounted to a pallet for shipping. The buyer will be responsible for pickup and/or securing shipping from any LTL carrier (Yellow, AAA Cooper, ect) with a pallet jack and lift gate.. The pickup will be by appointment only and the shipping charges will be the responsibility of the buyer. The following is some history on the famous CS Bell foundry. Bishop Paulinus of Compagnia invented bells in 400 A.D.. They were not used in churches until some two hundred years later. A bell is described in the dictionary as "a hollow cup-shaped instrument that gives forth a clear, resonant note when struck with a clapper." The world has been greatly benefited by the melodious tones of the bells manufactured locally by the C.S. Bell Company of Hillsboro, in Highland County, Ohio. Charles S. Bell, native of Cumberland, Md., was apprenticed to the founder's trade in Pittsburgh, Pa. at the age of fifteen. After mastering the details of the trade, he eventually arrived in Hillsboro, a stranger with very little capital. He commenced the foundry business on a small scale, principally in the manufacture of cooking stoves of superior quality. By making a good reputation he soon found his business growing. The need for larger quarters became imperative. In Jan., 1858, Bell purchased the Speedwell Foundry on W. Beech, being operated by Bitler and Clayton. He started work with one boy and a weekly expense of $7.00. In addition to stoves they began to make plow points and other castings. In a few years a second foundry and showroom was built on the northwest corner of Main and West Sts. James K. Marlay became a partner and was placed in the showroom, while Bell operated the foundry. When making of sorghum syrup sprang up in the North, Bell designed a cane mill to meet the demand. The mill was very efficient, simple to operate, strong, cheap and very durable. It was equally well adapted to the southern sugar caner being grown on the small plantations. Bell advertised for sale: "A cast center lever plow, 100 bells, made from the best materials at the foundry." They also had on hand number of improved beehives and were prepared to pay cash for any amount of scrap iron. In 1869 Bell purchased Marlay's interest and continued to add various items to those he already sold and manufactured. The pioneer Bell had a natural aptitude for metallurgy and continued to experiment with different formulas of iron, steel and other metals in his search to find an alloy cheaper and more durable than iron. Bell continued his experiments and his business continued to expand. One day he was busily engaged in the foundry working with a metal formula he had developed when he accidentally dropped a piece. To his great surprise he heard a ringing tone that "sounded like a bell." He experimented, mixed ingredients, poured them carefully, cooled them just so, until he had a metal with bell tones. The allow or "peculiar amalgam" developed by Bell could be produced cheaper than brass, copper or tin which were being used in the manufacture of bells. Bell also discovered that the allow from which he made the bells could be pitched, with very mellow tone. He began to manufa... read more

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