Clapper-less bell?!1 Stop me before I drill a hole in it!1

[UTUSN]

I collect bells (nostalgia from the Navy; a bell on each ship), have not studied them per se, but I realize there are different types: The "normal" ones that have a clapper, but others like: Screwed to a wall; hand-rung with a rope/string/chain attached to the clapper; free-swinging hung in a stand; and hollow tube-like STRUCK with a mallet.

So here is this one from a junk/"antique" shop, certainly shaped like a bell, but any implement for striking it, if that's what it was, has been long forgotten.

So my first impulse (and I've already been to a hardware store for eye-bolt and cap-nut) was to DRILL A HOLE in it and assemble the clapper structure!1 And the actual striking clapper would be a fishing weight!1

If anybody recognizes this as a clapperless type bell with some kind of, maybe East Asian heritage to it, speak NOW or I will DRILL!1 Or maybe it's not even a bell at all?!1 This thing is LARGE, 4" to the dome excluding handle; and 4" in diameter.

Posting, gone to nap, back to check, then BZZZZZZZZZZZ!1

[Zephie]

1. Reminds me of one my mother had at one point

It came with a stand with a hook on it to hang from and a small mallet to strike it with. I'd say you're missing some pieces, but I'm not an expert. :shrug:

[UTUSN]

2. Thanks, this really helped. The hook & mallet make a lot of sense.

And while I had never heard of "clapperless," the image I had was of those Japanese huge bells rung with a suspended timber. And now I've googled "clapperless" and there are tons of entries, things I didn't imagine, like resonant BOWLS and jingle-bells and the concept of such bells as PERCUSSION instruments.

So I'm giving this thing a reprieve from my Dremmel tool for now. I really think your hook and some kind of hardwood mallet or stick, or maybe a little brass hammer, might hit the spot. Thanks, again!1

[Orrex]

3. That's not a bell; it's an ice cream dish.

What the hell's wrong with you?!?










Anyway, wouldn't drilling a hole in it mess with the sound?

[UTUSN]

4. Oh, yeah?!1 Where's the udder then?!1 n/t

[pokerfan]

5. No copper clappers?

Jack Webb & Johnny Carson, 1968: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpVjW30I-YU

[UTUSN]

6. Excellent, thanks!1 They were in their prime there.

WEBB stayed without nearly breaking up to the end. CARSON started it a bit earlier. But it was prime.

[hedgehog]

7. It's an award for the person who figures out the sound of one hand clapping.

[UTUSN]

8. OMZ!1 The google says there are such things as "bell STANDS"!1

The temple ones are made of aged teakwood. I'll look for brass hardware that can be turned into a stand or use local hardwood.

Instead of saved by the bell, it's the bell is SAVED!1

[csziggy]

9. Here are some bells on stands

Presumably clapperless:


http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/505536/210998446-443776342/Collectables-Exquisite-Chinese-Brass-Dragon-Bell-bells-Musical-Instruments-Free-shipping.html



http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/505536/210998446-443774791/Collectible-dragon-figurine-Tibet-brass-bell-bells-Musical-Instruments-Free-shipping.html


http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/505536/210998446-443773249/Brass-bells-Chinese-Tibet-dragon-glockenspiel-Musical-Instruments-Free-shipping.html

The dragon one is really, really cool!

[UTUSN]

10. OMZ, they're beautiful and PERFECT for my bell, thanks!1 n/t

[krispos42]

11. Oh, I saw that in a movie once

The grizzled prospecter kept shooting the bell while John Wayne moved into the church to engage the bad guys.

Get yourself a pellet gun and a pair of safety glasses.


:D

ETA: and a belfry. Bats optional.