Rare # 3 1/2 C.S Bell--Any info will help--photo included

[kc342001]

I am looking for any information about a C.S Bell # 3 1/2. It is 19 1/2" in diameter at the base, 13" in height. Any info as to age is greatly appreciated. I know it is old and maybe one of the first produced by C.S Bell. I checked with Prindle Station, I was advise they may have something in old catalogs. I haven't been able to find anything online about this bell.

19 1/2" diameter, 13" height.
Note it reads C.S Bell not C.S Bell & Co. center of yolk has 3 1/2 it isn't a #4

small photo.JPG (46.2 KiB) Viewed 891 times

[lucky13]

CS Bell Hillsboro O. was used on the first bells in 1875 until about 1882. Your bell dates toward the end of this period because the earliest bells were a different design (see next post for photos). The design changed a third time in the mid 1880's to what is most commonly seen today.

[kc342001]

Lucky13,
thanks for your info.
Is 3 1/2 an unusal size?

[lucky13]

Must be. I've never seen another half-size Hillsboro bell. This probably didn't last long once they realized so many sizes weren't necessary.

[admin]

John E. has responded to Tabitha. Here is the information he gave her:

According to a 1910 catalog on CS Bell Company, a #3 1/2 is a Farm Bell 21" in diameter, 100 lbs., Costing $12. in 1910 (about three weeks wages).

CS Bell Co. made five sizes of Farm Bells:
#1 15" 40 lbs 1910 price $4.
#2 17" 50 lbs 1910 price $5.
#3 19" 75 lbs. 1910 price $7.50
#3 1/2" 21" 100 lbs. 1910 price $12.
#4 21" 100 lbs. 1910 price $10.

Note that the diameter listed is the diameter of the mold; iron shrinks upon casting, so the final actual diameter would be smaller that the mold.


CS Bell Co. marketed through Sears Roebuck & Co. and was the most prolific cast iron bell foundry. The foundry stopped producing bells for WWII, around 1939, and officially closed 1950. Your bell is at least 70 years old.

I have been buying & selling bells for 20 years; Farm Bell #1 & #2 are very common, however in 20 years I have never seen a #3 1/2 bell .... you have a rare bell.

[kc342001]

Ok I found out that this bell is between 1875 and 1882. CS Bell was prior to 1882. After his son joined the name changed to C.S. Bell and Company.