(404) 964-8355
Hours M-F 8AM-8PM ET
Authentic US Navy Bells
www.usnavybells.com731 Mixon Creek Drive - Bath, NC 27808
The bells pictured below almost certainly rang 8 bells at some point or another. You can be sure that the bell you purchase from THE Ship in a Bottle is of the highest quality and accurately represented in photographs and descriptions. Each of my authentic US Navy bells come with a premium custom made bell rope.
We will be receiving additional bells that have yet to be photographed and added to our site.
In short, here is how it works... We agree on a sale price... We photograph and describe your bell... we then list your bell on our website. Of course there are some details to cover so call for additional information.
We are always looking for new and authentic bells to add to our inventory.
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NO LONGER AVAILABLE Bell 025 |
Ship's bell from USS Cimarron (AO-22).& This WW2 ship had an intense and remarkable history spanning three wars. The bell is 22 inches wide by 21 inches high and weighs 360 pounds. USS Cimarron participated in numerous significant battles in the Pacific such as Coral Sea, Midway, Solomon Islands, and Guadalcanal just to name a few. USS Cimarron was awarded 10 Battle Stars for WW2, 7 Battle Stars for the Korean War, and 4 Campaign Stars for Vietnam Service. |
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SOLD BELL-022 Large Nickel Plated Navy Bell ![]() |
Approximately 75 Pounds
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This beautiful nickel plated brass navy bell is large and heavy. 15 Inches in diameter and weighs in the vicinity of 75 pounds. This wonderful bell belonged to the USS Nautilus, the world's first operational nuclear powered submarine. | There are a couple small dings in the top of the bell but the nickel plating is intact and unbroken. It is in good condition for a bell of its age. |
WW-1/WW-2 Era Bells SOLD BELL-023 and BELL-024 ![]() |
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The Navy Bells pictured above are undergoing restoration. The bell on the top left of the photo has been polished and lacquered and is ready for sale (shown completed in the photo on the right). The bell with the blue stripes and lettering is still in the refinishing shop where the blue paint and existing lacquer will be removed before final polishing. Both bells are available for sale and are in good condition. These MIL-SPEC bells weigh approximately 23 pounds and are 9-7/8 inches in diameter. | The bell in the upper left (photo to the left) is shown completed above. This ancient warrior is in very good shape for a bell of its age. |
SOLD BELL-C006 This very nice bell was reported to have been on a fishing vessel. The bell weighs 10 pounds, is 12 inches in diameter and will polish up very nicely. |
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SOLD | A fine example of an
authentic navy
bell of the WW-I era. The bell is in exceptionally
good condition. Marring seen on photograph is in the
lacquered
finish and not on the bell itself. There are some scratches
on the acorn nut where someone used a tool to remove it. This veteran is 9-7/8 inches across by 10-1/2 inches tall and weighs approximately 22 pounds. I am listing this bell as shown for the moment but intend to build a stand for it. Additional photos are available on request. |
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SOLD | 9-1/4 Inch Quarterdeck Bell in very good condition. Bell with hardware weighs 19 pounds. This is a well preserved bell that will clean up nicely. Heavy brass mounting arm with finial and clapper. Call (404) 964-8355 for your quote |
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WW-I Era Fore Deck Bell. New photos will be added when work is complete. SOLD BELL-0009 Comes complete with original clapper, mounting arm, slide bracket cap nut, and one of our custom bell ropes. |
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Although the history of this beautiful bell may never be known, it is certain to have tolled in the defense of our country. Ring patterns and lettering on this very rare bell indicate casting prior to late 1920s with estimates are circa 1910. This authentic US navy bell will polish up beautifully and is in very good condition with only minor scratches and some pitting as may be typical for the age of the bell. Rings around the top and bottom of the bases of the bell are very prominent. This veteran is 9-7/8 inches across by 10-1/2 inches tall and weigh approximately 22 pounds.
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Authentic WW-I Era Fore Deck Bell
with original Clapper and Hardware. SOLD BELL-0012 |
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WW-II Era Cast Iron Bell Harvard Lock Company BELL-0010 SOLD Comes complete with original clapper and one of our custom bell ropes. |
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This classic bell is in very good condition and has been very well preserved. Cast in iron with raised lettering U.S.N. and Harvard Lock Company. Bells during this period of WW-II were cast in iron as a result of an emergency order from Washington limiting the use of bronze and brass to actual combat essentials. It weighs approximately 18 pounds and is 10 inches tall by 9-1/2 inches across. See the video below for this beautiful bell and listen as it rings 8 bells!
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Very Large Brass Bell 16 Inches in Diameter. Complete with Clapper, Mounting Hardware, and Rope. Weighs approximately 90 LBS. SOLD BELL-0011 |
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The Bell weighs a whopping 90 pounds (approximate) and is 14.25
inches tall by 16 inches wide.
Ship's Bell - USS Constitution
The following information is the courtesy of:
Disposition and continuing Navy use
In addition to its shipboard roles, the bell
serves a ceremonial and memorial function after the ship has served
its Navy career.
U.S. Navy bells are part of the many artifacts removed from
decommissioned vessels preserved by the
Naval
Historical
Center.
They may be provided on
loan
to new namesake ships; naval commands with an historical mission or
functional connection; and to museums and other institutions that
are interpreting specific historical themes and displays of naval
history. Bells remain the permanent
property of the US Government and the Department of the Navy.
These serve to inspire and to remind our
naval forces and personnel of their honor, courage, and commitment
to the defense of our nation.
Maintenance and upkeep
Traditionally, the bell is maintained by the
ship's cook, while the ship's whistle is maintained by the ship's
bugler.
In actual practice, the bell is maintained by a person of the ship's
division charged with the upkeep of that part of the ship where the
bell is located. In such a case a deck seaman or quartermaster
striker or signalman striker may have the bell-shining duty.
Bells in
religious ceremonies
The bell's connection to religious origins
continues. Originating in the British Royal Navy, it is a custom to
baptize a child under the ship's bell; sometimes the bell is used as
a christening bowl, filled with water for the ceremony. Once the
baptism is completed, the child's name may be inscribed inside the
bell. The bell remains with the ship
while in service and with the Department of the Navy after
decommissioning. In this way, an
invisible tie is created between the country, the ship and its
citizens.
Navy Ceremonies and Events
The bell is used to signal the presence of important persons. When the ship's captain, a flag officer, or other important person arrives or departs, watch standers make an announcement to the ship and ring the bell. This tradition extends to major naval command transitions, often held aboard vessels associated with the command.
Safety and
Communication
The sounding of a ship's bell found a
natural application as a warning signal to other vessels in poor
visibility and fog. In 1676 one Henry Teonage serving as a chaplain
in the British Mediterranean Fleet recorded , "so great a fog that
we were fain to ring our bells, beat drums, and fire muskets often
to keep us from falling foul one upon another". Ringing a ship's
bell in fog became customary. In 1858, British Naval Regulations
made it mandatory in that function. Today, maritime law requires all
ships to carry an efficient bell.
American ships of the Revolutionary War period and our early
national years adopted many of the practices and traditions of the
British Royal Navy, including the use of bells. In 1798, Paul Revere
cast a bell weighing 242 pounds for the frigate
Constitution,
also known today by its nickname "Old Ironsides".
It is of interest to note that the use of a ship's bell contributed
to the richest single prize captured by the American Navy during the
War of Independence. While a Continental Squadron under Commodore
Whipple lay-to, wrapped in
Timekeeping
Before the advent of the chronometer time at
sea was measured by the trickle of sand through a half - hour glass.
One of the ship's boys had the duty of watching the glass and
turning it when the sand had run out. When he turned the glass, he
struck the bell as a signal that he had performed this vital
function. From this ringing of the bell as the glass was turned
evolved the tradition of striking the bell once at the end of the
first half hour of a four hour watch, twice after the first hour,
etc., until eight bells marked the end of the four hour watch. The
process was repeated for the succeeding watches. This age-old
practice of sounding the bell on the hour and half hour has its
place in the nuclear and missile oriented United States Navy at the
dawn of the Twenty-First Century, regulating daily routine, just as
it did on our historic vessels under sail in the late Eighteenth
Century.
Visit our gallery of custom and stock bell ropes. Our beautiful ropes can be made in a variety of colors and sizes. From 4 inches to 50 feet, we can make that perfect bell rope to compliment your bell!
Call us at (404) 964-8355 for a quote today. We will polish and lacquer your bell for you. Without the proper equipment, restoration can be a daunting task which requires countless hours and a LOT of elbow grease.
Emily Epperson (R) and Tyler Wolf (L) present a very nice US Navy WW2 era bell to Jeanne "Mom" Mayo (C) during a ceremony held 11 May 2015.
I recently made a trip to the Tampa FL area to pick up a beautiful navy bell. What made this trip so special for me was that I was able to take my 8 year old grandson 'DJ' along with me for the ride!
We kayaked down the crystal clear waters of the spring fed Weeki
Wachee River and saw several manatee.
We also went on a fishing trip and caught some very nice grouper and a variety of other fish!