The tradition of the jinglesmith has existed for over 300 years. Sparks fly and the fire glows in the workshop. Everything is unique, with its own sound and lovingly handcrafted. Bells and reels play an important role on alpine journeys as well as at New Year's Eve celebrations.

In contrast to bells, bells for driving and grazing, Chlaus bells and reels as well as Senntum bells are not cast but forged from sheet steel. In particular, the production of the bells requires great skill on the part of the bell smiths. They are hand-forged, fire-brassed and harmoniously matched, which means thousands of hammer blows over a thousand degrees of heat and the use of an old and elaborate method for coating the surface (fire-brassing) are necessary.

In fire-brassing, which is a special challenge in the manufacturing process, the senna clamps are provided with brass parts and wrapped in a clay dough, which consists of water, ground clay, fireclay, sand, graphite and barley hairs, among other things. Wrapped in this clay mantle, the jingles are placed in an open-air oven so that the brass can melt and spread over the surface of the jingles at a temperature of about 950 degrees. After everything has cooled down and the jingles have been broken out of the clay dough, they are finally polished and the triad is tuned.

PETER PREISIG BELL SMITHY
Since 1998 Peter Preisig has been engaged in the traditional craft of bell smithing, in particular with the hand-forged fire-brassed Senntum bells as well as with the driving and pasture bells. The same applies to the Chlausenschellen and reels that are worn in our tradition, the New Year's Eve Chlausen. His goal is to authentically preserve and continue this dying craft.

Would you like to gain an insight into this old craft? In a 1.5 hour demonstration, you can follow the 5 essential steps, from the production of charcoal to the tuning of a bell/roller, in the Schmitte.