Description on back of photograph: String of brass bells strung around a horse while pulling a sleigh, hence the name "sleigh bells." The sleighs moved so quietly bells were needed to warn approaching vehicles to avoid a collision. In the nineteenth century they were also known as "crotal bells."
Courtesy Pennsylvania Farm Museum of Landis Valley
Imperfect sleigh bell showing the metal was too cool when it was poured and chilled below the flowing temperature before the casting cavity was filled. Courtesy of Edwin Battison
Imperfect sleigh bell showing the metal was too cool when it was poured and chilled below the flowing temperature before the casting cavity was filled. Courtesy of Edwin Battison
Note on back of photo: Complete set of sleigh bells mounted on a leather stamp with a buckle for connecting the ends under the horse's belly. The close-up of the buckle shows a piece of leather slipped under the metal so it did not injure the horse." Courtesy of Pennsylvania State Farm Museum of Landis Valley
Note on back of photograph: " Top and side views of three bells used on straps, and usually called "sleigh bells" because they were used on horses when they were pulling a sleigh. Their function was to warn other travelers of their location because sleighs moved so quietly they could barely be heard. The designs and openings of the bells were cut into the patterns and imprinted in the metal when the castings were made. The initials W.B. presumably stand for William Barton."
