In my opinion it looked close to perfect in condition - no cracks or fractures, perfect floral picture, no chips. Now it is smashed from falling during our earthquake in February 2011. We would love to get some sort of idea about replacement value in order to notify our insurers.
This rare antique brass bell has been in our family for years. Through hearsay, and undocumented I am afraid, it has been said to have been bolted to one of the Liberty Ships built in the 1941- 1945 WWII era, but sometimes truth becomes stories and stories become embelishments. So the story goes that many years ago, father in law, a retired naval officer- deceased, aquired this bell and said that it came from a libery ship. After MUCH seaching and seeing so many bells, I am just confused now. Ships bell? Railroad bell?
anyway here are the specs and some pics...
Brass Bell
Mouth of bell is 18" Diameter
Height is 14" to first ridge on top and 16" to very top of bell (not the bolt).
Thought to be off of a "liberty Ship", 1941-45 WWII era.
Very heavy 75-100 lbs.
There are NO marks or halmarks. I looked with magnifying glass and nothing.
