This custom bell was crafted from a yellow brass XO Brass 1650 (maybe 1651) bell flare. The exact age of this bell flare is unknown, but likely is less than 5 years old. 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. Five different dragon fly silhouettes have been applied to this bell in a somewhat random placement representing dragon fly swarms in late summer. The dragon flies have nickel silver wings and copper bodies, all of which have been soldered onto the bell flare.
This particular bell has a wider inner diameter at the bell ring threads to match Conn 8D (and similar horns) sized bell throats.
I consider this bell a prototype and there is a cosmetic blemish in the serial number.
The bell with its bell ring weighed 461g before the applique design was applied. It weighs 472g after the artwork was applied. This vintage bell is clean with essentially no dings or bents from its prior life. This bell produces a nice sound and creates a noticeably different tone color than the standard nickel silver bell of an 8D.
