PRESENTED is a large authentic relic of American
Pennsylvania history in the form of an antique bell that is inscribed with the name John Gallagher, Pittsburgh. There
are no foundry marks or other imprints on the bell, but its splendid shape and unusual hanging bracket make it highly desirable.
You can tell this is the real McCoy by it nicely sculptured cone shape, good wall thickness, and clapper marks on the
inside. It has a good solid ring to it with a sharp sound. The stand has been added by us and is included in the price
of the bell. If the buyer chooses not to purchase it a $150.00 credit will be given.
Custom Stand and bas relief provenance
FROM THE RECORDS OF THE PERRY COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN SOMERSET, PA http://www.netpluscom.com/~vos/CHHx.htm:
June 6, 1828: The Commissioners ordered the Auditor to purchase “a
good and substantial (sic) bell for the Courthouse in Perry County at a fair Price either at Pittsburg or Cincinnati
. . .March 4, 1829: ….at this meeting, Jonathan Babb was paid,
“. . . $12.00 for going to Pittsburg and procuring a bell for the Court house for Perry County. ” This bell is another
Courthouse mystery. Legend states that, during the removal of the county seat to New Lexington, a group of Somerset partisans
removed the bell and dumped it in Buckeye Lake to prevent its going to New Lexington. However, the large bell currently
hanging in the Courthouse cupola bears the inscription, “JOHN GALLAGHER, PITTSBURG.” The existing bell looks as though
it COULD be the original, but it could be a replacement, coincidentally procured in Pittsburg.
Inside of bell and bell rope
Back
of stand and bell
DIMENSIONS – BELL:
Diameter of mouth 13 1/2″ Diameter of crown
7″ Height by 14 1/4″ Estimated Weight 68 Lbs.DIMENSIONS OF STAND:
19.5″ H x 22″ W x 16″ D, and a single plank is 1 3/8″ thick. Weight
10 lbsCONDITION: This is
a handsome bell in excellent condition, It has nicely polished exterior and a golden patina inside. The clapper is bronze
with ball end which is a recent replacement. It has a nautical bell rope attached. There are numerous small casting pits
and other minor imperfections which can be seen in the picture. The “B” in Pittsburg is of a lower height than the rest of
the lettering.