bell metal

American  

noun

1. an alloy of about 80 percent copper and 20 percent tin, sometimes with small amounts of lead and zinc, having low damping qualities and used especially for bells.

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bell metal British  

noun

1. an alloy of copper and tin, with some zinc and lead, used in casting bells

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Etymology

Origin of bell metal

First recorded in 1535–45

Example Sentences

Varying proportions of copper and tin give gun metal, bell metal, babbitt metal and many another alloy, the greater the percentage of tin the harder being the resulting composition.

From Time Magazine Archive

Now I think of it, tell the Bishop of Clogher, he shall not cheat me of one inch of my bell metal.

From The Journal to Stella by Swift, Jonathan

Salt a pint meal, wet with one quart milk, sweeten and put into a strong cloth, brass or bell metal vessel, stone or earthern pot, secure from wet and boil 12 hours.

From American Cookery The Art of Dressing Viands, Fish, Poultry, and Vegetables by Simmons, Amelia

Now the bell metal rusts scarcely at all, but the iron clapper of a bell does.

From Jack Ranger's Western Trip Or, from Boarding School to Ranch and Range by Young, Clarence

The preserving pan should be made of bell metal, flat at the bottom, very large in diameter, but not deep.

From The Virginia Housewife by Randolph, Mary