post for farm bell

[rhrentz]

My wife inherited her grandfathers C S Bell Co #3 farm bell I had it sand blasted , painted black , and trimmed in gold
We live on a farm and want to put it on a post outside to use
What size, shape, and height post/pole should we use and what type rope/chain would look original?

[hjlong3]

The mount on the upright bracket was made for a 4 x 4 post. If you want low maintenance, you could use a 4 x 4 inch square steel tube. a tandard construction grade treated pine or redwood 4 x 4 would be standard. The rope was usually made up of any piece of rope that was on the farm or a piece of clothes line.
Harry Long, MD

[rhrentz]

How high should we mount bell?

[hjlong3]

It should be as high as you want. I like to have my bells at eye level so I would anchor the post ~3 feet below ground and 4-5 feet above ground.
Harry Long, MD

[Carolyn Whitlock]

You may want to consider taking precautions to prevent the bell from being stolen.

[rhrentz]

Thanks for the caution but it got me wondering. We certainly do not want to sell our bell but do you have any idea of it's value and age?
It has been cleaned and painted and really looks great . The lettering on the yoke reads "C. S. BELL & CO. HILLSBORO O."
The other side reads " No. 3 YOKE 1886"
The mounting bracket reads "No. 3 UPRIGHT 1886" and "CRYSTAL METAL"
There are several large 3s also

[Carolyn Whitlock]

This is where a picture of your bell would be useful. Old bells sometimes get separated from their original yokes and the owner replaces it with another yoke that didn't necessarily come from the original company. This is probably not the case with yours but one never knows.

If you want to know the value of your restored bell for insurance purposes, you can find brand new farm bells for sale at PrindleStation.com. This company owns the original molds used by the C.S. Bell company. They offer three sizes in a price range of $300 to $450. You may also want to look on that popular online auction website to see what #3 C.S. Bell & Co. are selling for.

Regardless, no dollar amount can be given for the sentimental value of your bell.

[rhrentz]

Got the bell up!
I used a rough cut treated 5x5 post and put the base of the yoke about 10 feet high
Found a hemp rope to use for now
Thanks for the comments