19th Century Brass Muffin Bell - Town Criers Bell - Early Fire Alarm

Handheld Muffin Bell or 19th Century Fire Alarm

Once used as an early fire warning but more associated with street traders.

The bell ringing of the Muffin Mans handbell was one of the most joyous and exciting sounds in Victorian childhood and can be compared to the melodic chimes from an ice cream van that generates excitement in children today. Unfortunately, the popularity of the Muffin Man became an issue when the bell ringing became so common and intrusive that by 1839 the British Parliament passed a bill to prohibit the bell ringing, but it was not adhered to at all by the traders!

Today these bells are more likely to be associated with the local Town Crier.

In lovely original condition, the bell has two slightly off set brass domes ‘Muffins’ mounted back-to-back with a turned wood handle with lanyard ring. This is a lovely sturdy example, a solid bell that works very well and has a great sound, it is definitely good fun to use…although there is a technique to getting the best continuous rythmic ring!