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Double-throat Bells
Many sleigh bells have just one throat (slit) across the bell, but the sleigh bell designs shown here have two or even three throats. Most bell designs with multiple throats originated in the late 1800s, when manufacturers were looking for ways to entice shoppers to buy their bells. In some cases, the manufacturer added a second slit to a standard single-throat bell design. The "egg", "band", and "round ridge " bells shown below are examples. Other multiple-throat bell designs have no single-throat versions. Double throat (arctic) bells, patent or Tucker bells, triple throat bells, and Swedish bells are found only with multiple throats. Bells with multiple throats are distinctive looking. They also sound quite a bit different than a single-throat version. If in good condition, a single-throat sleigh bell, such as a petal or round-ridge bell, will usually have a bright, loud sound somewhat similar to the pure ring of an open (liberty) bell. If a second throat is added to that same sleigh bell, the sound becomes decidedly softer and changes to more of a "chiming" tone. The throats are made in several ways. Throats in machine-stamped bells are usually created when the flat metal blanks are stamped out; these flat blanks are molded into spherical bells using high-pressure forming machinery. Throats in sand-cast bells can be created during the casting process or they can be cut by a saw after the bell is cast. Some cast bells have one cast and one sawn throat. Many of the bells shown below are discussed in other articles in the "Sleigh bell designs" section of this website. Learn more about: Petal bells, round ridge bells, Swedish bells, patent/Tucker bells, egg bells, and band bells.
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| Spherical "double throat" bell has two throats that were cast in place. Starr Brothers Bell Co. called them "arctic" bells in their 1915 catalog. Inexpensive new steel bells are called "arctic" bells today, so we do not use this name for these antique solid-brass bells. | Double throat (arctic) bell, another view. Note the distinct rim around the middle of this style of bell. This type of bell has a distinctive, soft chiming tone. |
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| Machine-stamped "patent" or "Tucker" bells were designed and patented in the late 1800s by George Tucker. The two throats were formed during the stamping process. | "Patent" or "Tucker" bell, another view. | "Triple throat" bells were also probably designed by George Tucker. The three throats were formed during the stamping process. |
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| "Traditional Swedish" bells are heavy cast-brass bells. Their three throats were cut after the bells were cast. | "Fat Albert" Swedish bells also have three sawn throats, similar to traditional Swedish bells. | "Improved Swedish" bells have two throats formed during the stamping process. |
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| Spherical "egg" bells have two throats that were cast in place. The spherical shape is similar to the "double throat" bells (shown above), but the middle of an egg bell is smooth. | Most "round ridge" bells have one throat, but some bells were made with two. "Petal" bells (not shown) were also converted into double-throated versions. The bells shown have one cast and one sawn throat. | "Band" bells also normally have one throat formed during casting. A few band bells were given a second sawn or cast throat. |
