I have a large brass bell, roughly hewn, bought at a 2nd hand shop 30 years ago and have wondered about its history ever since. Engraved on it, in large font, is a U with 174 underneath. I have always presumed it was from a U-boat. I've seen mentioned that this boat was sunk off Newfoundland in 1943, after sinking a number of enemy shipping itself.
The mention that bells were removed, if correct, would explain the reason that this bell did not go down with the boat. The bell is 250mm in diameter and weighs 8.2kg. When purchased, the bell's gong originally had a leather handle but the twine binding it has since deteriorated and the leather handle lost. I replaced it with a white rope. I have not any idea what the bell, if genuine, is value at.