Historical information
Bell used by the conductor or passengers to signal to the driver - stop, proceed or an emergency stop. The actual bell and part of the striker are missing. The striker has been broken off. The "JS" indicates it was made by John Stephenson of New York who made tramway equipment and the first cable tram saloon cars for Melbourne.
Significance
Demonstrates a conductors communication or signal bell made for use on tramcars.
Physical description
Part of a brass Conductor Communication Bell, or signal bell, consisting of cast frame, part of the bell striker and bell pull part. Has at both ends, nine screw holes that were used to secure the bell to the roof of a tram.