How to Collect Sleigh Bells

Collect and Display Antique Sleigh Bells

• 1

  Learn about the history and manufacture of antique sleigh bells. Find sleigh bell information at websites and in books about bells, sleighs, and collecting. Collecting sleigh bells is a niche hobby, so the challenge is in finding information. The reward, however, is acquiring knowledge that few others have.

• 2

  Search for sleigh bells to add to your collection. There are loose bells to purchase, and bells still attached to pieces of leather harness. They come in a variety of sizes. Most bells are made of brass but you may decide to collect silver, silver plate, or bronze bells. You will find them at farm auctions, estate sales, rural antique stores, and some online antique shops.

• 3

  Clean and restore the sleigh bells you collect. Scrub brass sleigh bells with soap, water, and a mild abrasive pad. Use a common brass cleaner to finish the cleaning. Once they are clean, coat them with lacquer to prevent rusting and to maintain their luster. Polish silver sleigh bells with silver polish before lacquering. If the bells are attached to leather, protect the leather from the cleaners and lacquer. The leather should be cleaned and protected with special leather products which can be found at farm supply stores.

• 4

  Consider how to display your bells. Antique sleigh bells attached to leather can hang as doorknockers or as wall decoration. Many people wrap one of the ends with a large bow. Place loose sleigh bells around the base of candles, tie them onto presents, or give them as small gifts. String individual sleigh bells onto ribbon and wrap them around stairway railings, doorways, or light posts. Use very small ones with hair clips or string them as a necklace. In addition, hang loose antique sleigh bells on door handles or as Christmas tree ornaments.