On Saturday, 21 November 2015 08:55:35 UTC, Brian-Gaff wrote:
I've always fancied one of those mechanical door bells you used to see in
UpstairsDownstairs with brass plungers and bits of string and pulleys and
stuff. I wonder if anyone makes them?

Yes. Often called a butler's bell.

http://www.blackcountrymetalworks.co...l-hardware.htm

http://www.inbrass.co.uk/acatalog/Be...l_systems.html

Someone I know still has the 19th-century original in their flat.

Owain