POTW: A Souvenir Bell Cast from the Fire

Dear Friends & Lovers of Brooklyn, How many of these bells remain extant? Does this one belong to the library? A different tradition passed down in our family about my ancestor - a volunteer Brooklyn fire chief there on that day with his men has him receiving one of many pieces of the bell - a large fist-sized cross-section hunk - as a gesture of thanks for his company's efforts in saving what they could. Inside & outside surfaces are immediately identifiable as such. The outside surface is engraved 'BKLYN CITY HALL BELL FEB. 26/95. A portrait of the firechief in full regalia was also handed down to us. Our family story did reference the little bells, but only as rather posh souvenirs of the bell's fiery end, an event expansively covered in the local news. These were offered as expensive political gifts, many perhaps sold on to others afterwards, but not made of the bell itself. The actual bell pieces were, if necessary, further broken down and all were similarly stamped. I can hold it in one hand, but my fingers only get halfway round. It's 2" thick from inner to outer surface and weight 1.5lbs. I know the details of our story didn't change from generation. But whether that proves their veracity or just testifies to my family's stubborness in such matters is beyond my judgment. But as Brooklyn at the time was still in influenced by Dutch thrift, I rather think the cost of melting & recasting the pieces into tiny bells speaks against that tale. Yet both may be true. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone with more to offer on the matter. I intend going to the Fire House museum in downtown Brooklyn soon as the heat lets up. Hopefully, I may find more clarification there. I see no way to include a photo of the piece along with this comment, but if you would like one, give me a way send or upload it & it's yours. Kind Regards, Richie Smith

I am writing from Japan. I have recently found the small brass bell at my parents' home in Tokyo. The bell is inscribed "Christmas 1895" in the middle and also "Brooklyn City Hall Feb 26 1895" near the mouth like the one in this article. The bell has the long headstock which is bent to the shape of the bell. This may be connected with the the frame or other part as I can see the screw groove on both ends of headstock. I have not seen anything like this in the auction or market. Please advise if I could find the photograph or copy of the design drawing of the original bell. My father told me that the bell was brought back to Japan by my grandfather who worked and lived in New Rochelle in mid 1930s. I presume this bell is one of those souvenir to commemorate the fire and my grandfather bought the bell for his memorabilia. We will keep the bell as one of my family treasures. Kind regards, Ted Komatsu