The bell rang either by the clapper striking the soundbow or by clocking. Here's a breakdown:
Methods of Ringing a Bell
Bells can ring in a few different ways, broadly categorized into traditional swinging methods and stationary methods.
Swinging the Bell
- In this traditional method, the entire bell swings, causing the clapper (a metal rod or hammer inside the bell) to strike the soundbow (the thickest part of the bell), producing the sound. The clapper is crucial; as the reference states, it's "the metal (usually cast iron) rod/hammer hung from a pivot below the crown of the bell, that strikes the soundbow of the bell when the bell stops moving".
Clocking the Bell
- Clocking involves keeping the bell stationary and striking it externally. According to the reference, this can be done "causing a bell to sound while down by pulling a hammer against it (as a clock would) or by pulling the clapper against the side of the bell".
- This method is often used in clock towers or carillons where a mechanism strikes the bell at specific times.
Summary Table
| Method | Bell Movement | Striking Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Swinging Bell | Swings | Clapper swings inside, striking the soundbow. |
| Clocking Bell | Stationary | External hammer or pulling the clapper against it. |
