Leslie SuperTyfon: the Sole Chime Horn Provider - Part 3

Leslie failed to combine the large 277, 247, 370 and 311 bells in a single piece during the introduction of the SuperTyfon series. It was first combined into two pieces then joined as one. Though the S-3L and S-5T were produced, the casting of the mentioned bells did not ceased up to the year 1955. However, the 370 bell had materialized into one piece sometime in 1952. All the other bells along with the oldest models of 370, 25 and 31 bells consists of a distinct ring joint by welding through the half of the throat. Ultimately, the bell construction underwent a series of modifications and re-configurations gradually. The number was displayed in a raised circle rather than a raised rectangle. The 37 bell is the last known bell to be re-configured; however, the exact date is undetermined. Additionally, the old models of 55 bells had the 55 number shown on the surface of the bell rather than in a raised rectangle. In the end, it had the number exhibited in a raised circle.

Beside the cited highlights, there are still few points of equal significance. One of which is the bottom part of the 25 bell which seems to be shaven off. It is far from the appearance of the 247 bells which was not done in accident but done in purpose. It stayed unshaven after the casting of the 247 bell. Another is the 440 bell which is designed with an included slot for an O-ring. The rationale behind the O-ring is for it to secure the bell in place with the power chamber. This new design locates the opening tube on newer bells. Lastly, there is a totally different attribute of the newer 44 bells. This demonstrated a new style of casting bells on which the letters "BAF" were placed after the "44" on a raised diamond.

All horns produced until about 1972 had the manufacturing date imprinted on the bottom-rear of the chamber. The 2-digit date was seen near the portion where the horn is bolted. This represents the last two digits of the manufacture date. It is to be noted that only the complete horns have the manufacture date on them. Moreover, the spike-back power chambers had three distinct looks. "Patent Pending" and "Parisipanny, NJ" were engraved on the back cap of old modeled chambers. The patent number was embossed on newer modeled chambers. For those manufactured in Tampa, Florida, the said place was carved on the back caps in place of Parispanny.

Not as confusing with the style used in Tyfon horns, SuperTyfon horns are labeled simpler. They were labeled starting with the letter "S", which represents "SuperTyfon." What comes next is a dash preceded by a number signifying the number of bells in the chime horn-2, 3, 4, or 5. The letter of the produce chord from the horn comes after the number. Such style of labeling symbolizes a factory-configured, variable orifice, all-bells-forward configuration applied for every horn. Taking the S-5T as an example, this labeling denotes a standard 5-chime chamber, variable orifices for each bell, all bells forward, and the factory-standard for various bells. By attaching different postfixes and prefixes, other configurations can be identified.