What's an authentic Georgian bell pull?

[JoceAndChris]

I really need to get the bell in the porch sorted out. Currently it's just a bit of wire on the ceiling, you have to climb up the bench to reach it, but once yanked it makes a lovely loud ding-a-ling through the cottage. The wire goes through the wall, and attaches to an old butler's bell above the stairs to the undercroft. I think the bell is original (remains of wires connecting from all the main rooms), and even if it isn't, the system is very old, so it would be nice to keep it, and not to have a modern front door bell.

I've trained all the delivery people to come in the porch and shout, that's normal for Lincs. But sometimes it catches me unawares - they've all had a complete eyeful.

Anyway, what kind of thing should attach to the mechanism to pull it and so jangle the bell? A rope? A chain with a pot handle? Should there be an embroidered panel behind?

Bench you have to climb up to reach the wire:

Wire-which needs pulling to the left

Butler's bell above stairs

 

[Flyfisher]

I've trained all the delivery people to come in the porch and shout, that's normal for Lincs. But sometimes it catches me unawares - they've all had a complete eyeful.

Sounds like a effective 'task-reward' training system to me.

This website offers bits-and-pieces for mechanical bells: http://www.antique-door-bells.com/doorbells.html
I suppose a lot will depend on how free-running the existing pull-wire is, but it should be reasonably easy to extend it, with appropriate pulleys, to a more convenient location. Not sure how truly authentic their products are though.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Many thanks, that's great. It's too complicated for me to understand specifically what I need to buy though. I'll ask Chris to go through it later, he understands pulleys and levers and things.

 

[Penners]

What's an authentic Georgian bell pull?

She pulls an authentic Georgian beau, doesn't she?




:roll:

 

[LadyArowana]

These people seem to have a variety of linkages etc on their site.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Oh Joce, what a pain, I had the perfect one for you, it's just been sold. reeded brass rim with reeded pull.very smart.
the real thing too.

I'll look up the place that sells all the bits you need, we've just done a small one here, mixing an original bell with new pulleys, wires and brass pull outside.

Also check e bay, that's where I sold mine.

xx

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks everyone!

Glad you know what's what with them, Joss, I'll check Ebay for yours!

(though I'm still confused about specifically what it is I need)

 

[Schoolmarm]

Yours needs pulling to the side which confused me, but does this work if the cord was threaded through an eyelet at the side?



http://www.antiquedoorfittings.co.uk/ourshop/prod_359136-Early-20th-Century-Blacksmith-Made-Vertical-Bell-Pull-Ref239JR.html

 

[JoceAndChris]

Oooh that's a a lovely one! Thanks 'Marm.

Chris says I mustn't worry about how it all works as even though it goes sideways he understands how, with the help of pulleys, levers, and wire it can be made to go with a downwards pull. Aren't boys marvellous? He's keen to drill a hole in the window frame of the porch so the pull can be pulled outside, which would be far preferable - otherwise I'm going to have to make a little sign "Please come in the porch to ring the bell"

It's really just choosing some thing that would be in keeping and in proportion. That lovely one in 'Marm's link may be more suited to a grand entrance with pillars and porticoes.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

It's not Georgian, but this is a little less ornate and you could have it "original and reclaimed" for £135 from these people or what appears to be absolutely identical for £45 from these people.

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol: I'm also struggling to see the difference between the original 1930s one and the repro. Perhaps if you handled them both you'd see it?

That's good FW, much shorter and therefore better for a porch that's only around 7 feet tall. Many thanks!

Jealous of those with scope for massive lion knockers and very ornate bells, but have to accept, sometimes, it's only a little cottage.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Jealous of those with scope for massive lion knockers

Nope - you can't beat a nice frontage topped off with massive lion knockers.

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol: How is it I just knew you were going to say that!

 

[Moo]

Joce - I had the exact opposite of your problem with our present house: a proper bell-pull set into the wall with no trace of wires or inner workings at all.
So we settled for a bog-standard modern push-button model.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

:lol: How is it I just knew you were going to say that!

Because that's why you set the punchline up for me! :wink:

 

[Nigel Watts]

Ones I have seen locally in London consist of a brass knob positioned in a half-spherical recess:

Lassco has some stock along these lines, but as always they are a little on the expensive side

http://www.lassco.co.uk/index.php?tx_evlasscoproductlistview_pi1[keyword]=bell+pull&id=59

 

[Michelle]

And to add to the list, The Period House Shop offers an iron bell pull made by their blacksmith. I think the design has a pleasing simplicity, and it doesn't look as long as some of the other examples. Their website doesn't let me post a direct link, so you need to go here http://www.periodhouseshops.com, enter site, click on Door, Window & Cupboard Furniture, and finally Door Knockers & Bells. They have brass circular bell pulls too, and some oblong ones.

 

[JoceAndChris]

That's lovely, Miss Michelle. Brass would look even better than black iron work, I'm sure - that oblong brass one is great. Thanks for the link!

Thanks for all the other information too - very interesting. Moo, how ironic!

The Lassco ones are lovely, as long as I could find a way to recess them - so really I'm spoilt for choice. No doubt his Lordship will have some very firm opinions on the matter this weekend from a fitting point of view.

 

[essexbearhunter]

The picture in Nigel's posting reminds me of the Claverley Bell Pull sold by Broughtons. Being mounted on a pattress you don't need to chase out the wall to accommodate the bowl.

http://www.broughtons.com/product_d...id=5199&sqs=Z70n0E_zsJ82zytw2uGWEhwoQ9zMT01Dt

They also do another version which mounts directly to the wall with a rather more fussy central knob. It does have the virtue of being £100 cheaper though (giving you a bit of money to knock up your own oak backing plate.) Their antique finish can be easily removed if you want to avoid the "faux antique" look.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks essexbearhunter! Those ones are really nice, but it turns out that the pull is going to have to be mounted on a skinny bit of wood between windows, as the wall is too far away, which won't leave enough space for those.