Saddle Bells, Shaft Bells, and Foot Gongs

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Some types of horse bells are riveted or screwed to a metal bracket or arch that is designed to be attached to the horse's harness, to the shafts or pole (tongue) of a vehicle, or to the vehicle body itself. The bells mounted to the bracket may be crotals (sleigh bells) or open-mouth bells. Most often, however, the bells are chimes.

A chime, in the horse bell world, is a type of open-mouth bell that has two or more clappers. The clappers may hang inside or outside the bell. The bell itself may be tulip shaped like a classic "liberty bell" or may be shaped more like a bowl.

If the bracket attaches to the back pad or saddle of the harness, the bells are called saddle bells or saddle chimes. If the bracket attaches to the shafts, the neck pole, or the vehicle body of a buggy, wagon, or sleigh, the bells are called shaft or pole bells or sometimes "ice cream" bells. A special type of bell, the foot gong, is a single large bell mounted on a plate that is bolted underneath the vehicle.

Saddle Bells
Many saddle chimes or saddle bells (also known as Russian saddle bells) are attached to an arched metal bracket. The shape of the brackets can range from the simple to the extremely ornate.

Each end of the bracket is usually held onto the harness saddle by the rein terrets that screw onto the sides of the harness saddle. Terrets are large loops of metal through which the lines (reins) pass. They ensure the lines travel freely from the horse's mouth and the driver's hands.

Another style of saddle bell has a single threaded end at the bottom of the bell housing. This type of saddle bell bolts in place of the rein hook that is usually found in the center of the harness saddle.

Three hemispherical chimes mounted on a simple arched bracket made of heavy brass strap. Each end of the arch are attached to the harness saddle under the rein terrets.	Traditional British saddle chimes sporting a red horsehair plume. The center chime is similar in design to the chime at the right, except this chime has external clappers. The two outer chimes have internal clappers.	Nickel plated spherical chime with three internal clappers. This single chime is meant to be mounted in place of the rein hook in the center of the harness saddle.

Shaft, Pole & "Ice Cream" Bells
There is really no essential difference between shaft bells, pole bells and "ice cream" bells. The name varies depending mostly on the object to which the bells are attached.

These bells are usually mounted on a supporting bracket made of brass, iron or steel. Some bells are attached instead to a leather strap that is buckled or tied around the pole or shaft.

The bells are called shaft bells (or shaft chimes) if they are attached to one or both shafts of a single-horse vehicle. They are pole bells (or pole chimes) if they are mounted onto the pole (tongue) of a vehicle pulled by a team of two or more horses.

If the bells are attached to the body of the vehicle itself, they are often called "ice cream" bells, because this type of bell was often used on vehicles used to sell frozen treats in city neighborhoods. The motion of the vehicle or the driver's hand is used to sound these bells.

Single-horse sleigh fitted with chimes hanging below the shaft. These chimes appear to be mounted on a flexible leather strap which is tied or buckled around the shaft of the sleigh. Click on the image to see a larger version.	Three nickel-plated chimes on a flat steel strap. Each chime has three button-shaped clappers inside. This bracket would have been screwed onto the bottom of the shaft or tongue of a vehicle.	Shaft chimes on a formed steel bracket. Hemispherical chimes on a simple bracket like this are sometimes called "ice cream" bells. This bracket would have been screwed to the top of the shaft or tongue.

Foot Gongs
Foot gongs are also known as Bermuda carriage bells or "ding dong" bells. This type of bell was used on early automobiles as well as horse carriages

It is similar in basic design to the spherical chime shown above. Two large hemispherical brass shells resonate when struck to produce a loud, distinctive sound.

A foot gong sounds only when a pedal was pressed, however, rather than ringing continuously from the motion of the vehicle, like the chime. This allows a foot gong to be used as a safety device, much like the horn of today's automobiles.

A foot gong was mounted underneath the floorboards of a carriage or early automobile. The shaft of the gong protruded through a small hole in the floor of the vehicle and ends in a small pedal. The driver pressed the pedal with his foot to sound the gong.

Foot gongs can occasionally be found on the antiques market. Manufacturers of these older gongs include Bevin Bros. Mfg. Co. and Starr Bros. Bell Co., both of East Hampton, Connecticut, and Sutone Corporation of Los Angeles, California. Bevin does not make these gongs anymore. Sutone and Starr Bros. are out of business. I have found only one US company -- Lone Wolf Whistle -- that sells new foot gongs.

Early illustration of a foot gong showing how the gong was mounted underneath the vehicle. Click on any image in this section to see a larger version.	Foot gong made by Starr Bros. Bell Co. The mounting plate with the maker's name would have been visible on the carriage floor.	Side view of the Starr Bros. foot gong shown at the left.	Foot gong made by the Sutone Company, Los Angeles, California. Age unknown.