Featured Solid Brass Twist-Action Countertop Bell

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by Shangas, Apr 11, 2016.

  1. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    [​IMG]

    I bet most of you have never seen something like this!

    Most of us know desktop/counter bells as the kind which you whack with the palm of your hand, or press the button, or flick a lever to ring the bell to get the shopkeep's attention, or call up the bellhop, or bring over the concierge at the hotel.

    How many of you have seen a TWIST-ACTION desk bell? Instead of pressing the knob at the top like you normally do - you TURN it (clockwise, I might add), which rings the bell (once).

    Very interesting design. A beautiful piece of Victorian shop-paraphernalia.

    *DING!*

    "Service, please!"
     
    lloyd249, Figtree3, Aquitaine and 3 others like this.
  2. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    I'm guessing for use in a more 'refined' hotel.
     
    Aquitaine and yourturntoloveit like this.
  3. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    I've no idea. I had to do a fair bit of loosening, tightening and rejigging of it, but I did eventually get it working properly. It's quite a novelty!!
     
  4. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    I'm just thinkin' it's not so obtrusive to smack such a thing and is always the same level of sound.
     
    yourturntoloveit likes this.
  5. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    You may be right :)
     
    KingofThings likes this.
  6. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    Would also keep some crazed, pissed off clerk from flippin' out at the bell hop. :) Thebellboy.jpg
     
    Aquitaine likes this.
  7. say_it_slowly

    say_it_slowly The worst prison is a closed heart

    So when you push on the top button does it rotate? Or are people expected to figure out they need to turn it?

    I do have this type of counter bell with a match striker.
    upload_2016-4-11_9-19-2.png
     
  8. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    OH!
    Don't reveal your address!!!! ;)
     
    Aquitaine likes this.
  9. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    Those were actually quite common in London when I was growing up. Some hotels still use them, but in a rather retro fashion.
     
  10. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    Which one? Both of these?
     
  11. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    I've just discovered that this bell is actually meant to be TWICE as loud as it already is!

    It's got TWO clappers inside it. Unfortunately, only one of them operates. I'm trying to fix it, but it's very stiff... I think it's a poor design. But it does work with one clapper only, so I like that :)

    The clappers are shaped like a sort of "S". You turn the knob clockwise and it triggers a double-spring. The two springs flick the hammers back and it's supposed to ring, topside and underside, at the same time for a double "Brrriiiingg!!"

    Unfortunately, the bottom striker doesn't engage the mechanism properly (and even if it did, it won't strike the gong to ring the bell...).

    I think I'll leave it as it is with just the one operational striker.
     
    antidiem, Aquitaine and KingofThings like this.
  12. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    NICE find!!!!:):):):)
     
    KingofThings likes this.
  13. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    Could it have been disabled intentionally?
     
  14. say_it_slowly

    say_it_slowly The worst prison is a closed heart

    (Sorry didn't mean to hijack the thread)
     
    KingofThings likes this.
  15. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    How did you do that???
     
  16. silverthwait

    silverthwait Well-Known Member

    My bucket list has some things on it that are possibly a bit odd. One of them is to go into a Very Small Hotel, and ring one of those.

    In my imagination, it brings forth Mme the Proprietoress, who is dressed in black bombazine, with a brooch at her throat. She is built somewhat on the lines of Mme Schumann-Heink,* and waddles a bit in her sensible shoes. I am invited into the courtyard at the rear of the inn for a glass of wine...

    (*No, I am not that old, but I know who she is!)
     
    KingofThings likes this.
  17. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    king, the original one. And yes, very loud they were, too.

    As an aside, I love the fact that London buses still have the same bell sound as the old Routemasters.
     
  18. say_it_slowly

    say_it_slowly The worst prison is a closed heart

    Added a photo of a different item so it's a little confusing:)
     
    KingofThings likes this.
  19. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    Oh! NO!
    I loved seeing it. :)
    Not at all though maybe a direct reply would be better not just in the reply box at the page bottom. :)
     
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