Bell Brasses

R.J. Bradshaw

The NHBS publication Horse Bells (1988) covers the history of this subject in detail beginning with the earlier types such as rumbler bells and latten bells. However this section looks only at those particularly associated with decorated heavy horse harness. These are bell-terrets, bell rosettes and bell face-pieces. In the 19th century, face piece bell brasses were two or three times more expensive than ordinary brasses. In consequence today none can be considered common and most can only be described as rare.

Below: an impressive four-horse team from Kent displaying belfries containing open-mouthed latten bells typical of the early 19th C.

The various 19th C pattern books show a few bell-face pieces and a good selection of terrets and bell-rosettes. Those illustrated below come from Hampson and Scott’s Equine Album.

Below, a very rare bell face piece which is one of only two designs to use a stamped frame. Next to it is a rare cast lyre-shaped frame followed by two very desirable bell crescents. When the NHBS publication ‘Horse Bells’ was published in 1988 it suggested that ‘Some twenty-five designs of bell face pieces were known from the 19th and early 20th centuries’. Since then this number has grown considerably as more unrecorded designs have been found.

Below, other examples of cast bell face pieces, the bell in the bell-shaped frame being the most numerous type.

The unique stars-in-ring brass (centre below) is the only bell face piece known to have the bell mounted on a large projecting stud which was burred over when the bell was fitted. This considerably restricts the movement of the bell when compared with the usual gudgeon or pivot on which the bell swings back and forth. Nonetheless it rings well enough when swinging on the leather harness loop. On the far right is a two-bell brass made by William Overton in Walsall and probably was the horseman’s most favoured two bell type.

Below. an unknown 3^rd Prize Winning turn out. Note the two triple-bell brasses mounted side-by-side on the bottom of the martingale.

Below, two three-bell designs. The left hand brass is illustrated in Hampson and Scott’s ‘Equine Album’ and is the most likely three-bell brass the collector might find. On the other hand William Overton’s three-bell version is much rarer.

Above, a pair of splendid martingales containing rare three-bell cast brasses and a very nice example of a stamped bell martingale. The single bell brass is found in both cast and stamped form and both are relatively easy to find.