This Conn 14D bell was graciously provided by a hornist from Evansville Indiana. Although the exact vintage is unknown, it most likely saw a few decades of service in the local school district. The bell flare was straightened, delacquered, cleaned, and fitted with an Alexander compatible ring made of bronze for its good wear and low friction properties. Two different designs have been applied to the outside of this bell flare. Approximately the first half of Sigfried’s long call has been engraved into four strips of nickel silver, and then soldered onto the bell rim in the style of a bell garland. Second, four natural horn silhouettes were cut from nickel silver sheet-stock and then soldered around the mid-height of the bell flare. The natural horn silhouette is a very appropriate companion to the Sigfried’s Call garland.
The bell with its bell ring weighed 370g before the applique design was applied. It weighs 442g after the artwork was applied. This vintage bell does sport various battle scars indicating an active prior life. This bell produces a nice sound and is very difficult to overblow with the added mass of the garland.
