Antique Sleigh Bells, Shaft Bells, Ice Cream Bells or Pole Bells

The length of the shaft is 13 ⅜". There are four bells. The two larger are just about the same size. The two smaller are decreasing in size. The bells have distinct, different sounds. The two larger bells are loose and the two smaller ones are secured tightly to the shaft. The bells and shaft have a definitely rusty patina. There are a couple of bends in the shaft so it is not perfectly straight.

I'm estimating these as being from the early 1900s.

Thank you to www.classicbells.com for the information on these shaft bells (or pole bells or ice cream bells, depending upon the way in which these bells were attached). They write:

There is really no essential difference between shaft bells, pole bells and "ice cream" bells. The name varies depending mostly on the object to which the bells are attached.

These bells are usually mounted on a supporting bracket made of brass, iron or steel. Some bells are attached instead to a leather strap that is buckled or tied around the pole or shaft.

The bells are called shaft bells (or shaft chimes) if they are attached to one or both shafts of a single-horse vehicle. They are pole bells (or pole chimes) if they are mounted onto the pole (tongue) of a vehicle pulled by a team of two or more horses.

If the bells are attached to the body of the vehicle itself, they are often called "ice cream" bells, because this type of bell was often used on vehicles used to sell frozen treats in city neighborhoods. The motion of the vehicle or the driver's hand is used to sound these bells.

Thank you for looking.