Rare bronze or brass RAILROAD LOCOMOTIVE TRAIN BELL

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* * * Pickup is preferred but delivery options are available * * * See shipping & handling section at the bottom of the auction listing for more details I live in central Illinois, (Warrensburg) I have provided 75+ pictures for your viewing and evaluation of the bell, thank you for your patience as they are loading... Up for auction is this very nice and rare bell. I am not an expert on bells nor do I know anything about them but many people have told me that this is a railroad locomotive bell. The bell and bell assembly weigh 157 pounds. The bell assembly looks to be made of cast iron but I'm not sure if the actual bell is bronze or brass. I have been told by a few people that it looks like bronze but I have no way to be 100% sure! I purchased this bell from a living estate of a guy who had purchased a horse ranch and this bell was sitting on top of a pole in his yard. He had taken the bell down and put up a birdhouse. Previous owner did not know anything about the bell other than it was t when he purchased the property and he would rather have a birdhouse sitting on top of the pole instead of the bell. I measured from the top of the bell to the bottom of the bell and got approximately 11" tall. I measured the outside diameter of the bell at the bottom and it measured approximately 14-5/8" across. Other than the normal wear and tear and the usual signs of use, I saw no major damage. The worst part of the bell assembly that I noticed was a little chipping/deterioration on the handle and cradle as seen .. click on the images to make larger, double-click to supersize them... The worst part of the bell that I noticed was a little spot on the head of the bell as seen .. click on the image to make larger, double-click to supersize... I wish I could tell you more about the bell but I don't know anything more about it. P ictures can always speak louder than words, I have provided 75+ pictures for you to judge the condition of the bell for yourself. T are numbers and t but I am unable to make any of them out. The bell sounds great and has a nice tone when it rings. The bell could probably use a cleaning and tightning up as it is a little loose w the head of the bell and cradle meet. I have not done any cleaning to the bell, I wanted to leave it in as found condition. * * * UPDATE * * * During my week of research, I emailed a guy about this bell and he emailed me back minutes before the bell was about to launch, is his email replies to me which he gave me permission to post... Hi Tony, From the looks it appears to be off an old steam locomotive before they started using the seam to activate the bells. This would put it before 1900. Plus the extra nice brass or bronze fenial and side nuts are indicative of an older bell. They took more pride in their work back then and wanted everything to look extra nice. So it might be civil war ear or immediately post. It should bring a healthy price if a collector sees it. I would start the bidding at 1500.00 or at least have a high reserve. I dont know what you have in the bell but it is valuable. I am afraid I cant bid on it at the moment or I would be after it myself. Good Luck!!! Les Williamson Little River South Carolina Also the bigger heavier bells were found on the larger locomotives Hey a buddy of mine just looked at your bell and says it should bring a minimum of 3500.00. Its worth every bit of it. He thinks post civil war to early 1900s. Tony, I think your bell is very unique in that I have never send a railroad bell with brass/bronze side nuts on the cradle. After talking back and forth with Les and gathering some new information on the bell, this bell seems to be very rare and I have decided to start the bidding out at $2,000 with No Reserve!!! Good Luck I can provide more close-up pictures of any given area or part upon request... ... read more

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