W Bell & CO. Identify my noew aquisition

[Malcolm]

Dear All,

Having successfully restored a Ball, Beavon and Co single manual pump organ I have acquired a rather splendid W Bell & Co two manual (no pedals).

[IMG]C:\Users\Malcolm\Dropbox (Personal)\MJB\Harmonium Refurbish\W. Bell\advertisement picture[/IMG]
[IMG]C:\Users\Malcolm\Dropbox (Personal)\MJB\Harmonium Refurbish\W. Bell\2018-01-27 18.53.15[/IMG]
[IMG]C:\Users\Malcolm\Dropbox (Personal)\MJB\Harmonium Refurbish\W. Bell\2018-01-27 19.05.49[/IMG]

It looks smart in the picture but it is now in a bad way and the back panel is missing along with the most of the stop names. So far I haven't found a serial number amongst all the dirt.

Does anyone recognise it, or something like it and could give me any clues.

Thanks
Malcolm

[SubBase]

picture links not good; path is to your C:\ drive
2M foot-pumpers are awesome in general.
Casey

[Malcolm]

I am having real problems in uploading the photos
I'll try again.





I hope this is better.
Best wishes,
Malcolm

[Silken Path]

That worked. Neat looking old organ, Malcolm.

[Malcolm]

I have just finished refurbishing this Ball, Beavon & Co c1895

[SubBase]

I think you'll find that the 2M is 4x more fun.
Casey

[Rodney]

Hi Malcolm,

You are right that you found a splendid instrument! The voicing is a little different on these earlier two manual organs, I find that their rank selection of the 4+2 in the swell bass side can be very useful, but when you are not used to it, it can be annoying too :) Perhaps this one is not like that as I could not find the exact one, but I did find a newer similar model #450, which was made after 1888. Yours would predate 1888.



With pipe top:



It looks like your BB&C turned out great, all the best with your new restoration!

Rodney