Lot 287
Air Ministry "Scramble" Bell. Original brass bell engraved "A.M. 1938", 12½" high and 12½" in diameter at the widest point. Painted red; over half of the original paint is intact. This was one of the bells tolled daily during the Battle of Britain in 1940 to alert British Fighter Command Air Stations of incoming enemy planes and to herald the return of British fighters. It is unknown with which Fighter Command Air Station this bell was associated. The Battle of Britain was the largest bombing campaign carried out up to that time; it represented Nazi Germany's attempt to destroy Britain's air defense and to break British morale in order to carry out a German amphibious assault on the British Isles and to possibly effect a surrender. The never-say-die attitude of the RAF and the refusal of the British public to cave in are a marvelous tribute to the British people.
In 1991, one of these bells sold for $4720 at a major auction house. This is one of the ultimate World War II souvenirs. The buyer is responsible for pick up or arranging shipping for this item, which weighs 47 pounds.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000.
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