Unstamped Shires bass bell in yellow brass

[Jbeckett]

What is it? I’m assuming it’s soldered but not sure if it’s a b1 or b2.
https://brassark.com/sale_horns/origina ... -engraved/

[GabrielRice]

It's almost certainly a BI 1Y

[harrisonreed]

1Y

[GabrielRice]

Let me elaborate.

The BII flare was not available until several years into the Shires company's history, and at the time this bell was made (when BI was the only flare), Steve was in the habit of stamping the bell farther up, where it would be covered with the ferrule. If you remove the bell top there should be a stamp there.

Assuming the bead is soldered (hard to tell for sure in the picture, but looks like it) it's pretty likely to be a 1Y, but it could also be a 1YHW, 1YT7, or 1YHWT7, which were all nearly as popular as the 1Y.

[Jbeckett]

Great info gents. Much appreciated!!