Bell Trading Post (Manufacturer). Bell Trading Post began operations in 1932. Jack Michaelson of Albuquerque owned and operated the company. Early production focused on handmade jewelry, but post-WWII lapel pins and paratrooper pins. Various marks indicate silver, nickel silver, and copper. Marks : BELL STERLING (enclosing a bell with hatch marks around the bell); BELL STERLING (surrounding a bell symbol with dots before and after BELL); STERLING BY BELL (surrounding a signpost with a bell); STERLING (under a signpost with a bell); STERLING (draped over a bell) with BELL inscribed; STERLING BY BELL (on attached tags); NICKEL SILVER BELL (surrounding a bell); NICKEL SILVER (and a signpost); SOLID COPPER (and a signpost); SOLID COPPER (surrounding a bell);