Brass ring


A brass ring is a small grabbable ring that a dispenser presents to a carousel rider during the course of a ride. Usually there are a large number of iron rings and one brass one, or just a few. It takes some dexterity to grab a ring from the dispenser as the carousel rotates. The iron rings can be tossed at a target as an amusement. Typically, getting the brass ring gets the rider some sort of prize when presented to the operator. The prize often is a free repeat ride.
The figurative phrase to grab the brass ring is derived from this device.

Background

Brass ring devices were developed during the heyday of the carousel in the U.S.—about 1880 to 1921. At one time, the riders on the outside row of horses were often given a little challenge, perhaps as a way to draw interest or build excitement, more often as an enticement to sit on the outside row of horses which frequently did not move up and down and were therefore less enticing by themselves. Most rings were iron, but one or two per ride were made of brass; if a rider managed to grab a brass ring, it could be redeemed for a free ride.
References to a literal brass ring go back into the 1890s.
As the carousel began to turn, rings were fed to one end of a wooden arm that was suspended above the riders. Riders hoped that the timing of the carousel rotation would place them within reach of the dispenser when a ring was available.
Another system had mostly steel rings of no value and one brass ring, and a target into which the rings were to be thrown, discouraging retention of the rings as souvenirs.

Cultural references

"Grabbing the brass ring" or getting a "shot at the brass ring" also means striving for the highest prize, or living life to the fullest. It is not clear when the phrase came into wide use but has been found in dictionaries as far back as the late 19th century.
The term has been used as the title of at least two books.
The final scene of The Catcher in the Rye features a carousel with a brass ring, which Holden Caulfield's sister Phoebe reaches for. The brass ring is symbolic of adulthood, the transition to which is a preoccupation of Holden throughout the book.
The Four Seasons song "Beggin'" references "now that big brass ring is a shade of black", in reference to having missed an important opportunity.
The Barenaked Ladies song "Get Back Up" references "getting fitted for a new brass ring", in reference to continuing to strive for success.
In professional wrestling, Tyson Kidd and Cesaro formed an alliance and called themselves "The Brass Ring Club" in 2015.
At the climax of the film Sneakers, all of the main characters have the opportunity to receive anything they want in exchange for handing over a crucial piece of technology to the NSA. When River Phoenix's character requests something with no monetary value, he is admonished by Robert Redford's character to think bigger, as "this is the brass ring."
In the big blowup argument in the film "Fools Rush In", the main character, Alex Whitman, says, "Look, this is the brass ring. I've worked my entire life for this kind of opportunity and I am not gonna throw it all away just because one night I put a five dollar ring on your finger in front of Elvis as a witness!"
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions presents "Brass Ring Awards" annually, to recognize achievement in the global attractions industry and to "honor excellence in food and beverage, games and retail, human resources, live entertainment, marketing, new products, and exhibits."

Brass ring carousels today

Although there are a lot of carousels extant, only a handful of carousels still have brass rings. The following pre-1960 vintage carousels in North America have operating brass ring dispensers/targets:
LocationParkNameImageManufacturerDateNotes/Updates
San Diego, CABalboa ParkBalboa Park CarouselHerschell-Spillman menagerie1910
Logansport, INRiverside ParkCass County Dentzel CarouselDentzelc.1902Also known as the Spencer Park Dentzel Carousel.
East Providence, RICarousel ParkCrescent Park Looff CarouselLooff1895
Elmira, NYEldridge ParkEldridge Park CarouselLooff1924 Original carousel mechanism was built in the 1890s and installed in Elmira in 1924. The original animals were auctioned in 1989, and replacement antique horses were acquired starting in 2003.
Watch Hill, RIWatch Hill ParkThe Flying Horse CarouselDarec.1884
Oak Bluffs, MAMartha's VineyardFlying HorsesDare1876
Kennewick, WASouthridge Sports ComplexThe Gesa Carousel of DreamsFred Dolle Company-Charles Carmel1910Formerly located in St. Joseph, MI at the Silver Beach Amusement Park.
Ocean City, NJGillians Wonderland PierGillian's Wonderland Pier CarouselPTC #751926
Elysburg, PAKnoebels Amusement Park & ResortGrand CarouselKremers Carousel Works-Carmel1913
Greenport, NYMitchell ParkNorthrop-Grumman CarouselHerschell-Spillman1920
Garden City, NYMuseum RowNunley's CarouselStein and Goldstein Artistic Carousell Co. 1912Nunley's, formerly in Baldwin, N.Y., is out of business; its classic carousel is now running at Museum Row.
Spokane, WARiverfront ParkRiverfront Park CarouselLooff1909
Roseneath, ON Roseneath FairgroundsRoseneath CarouselParker/Herschell Spillman1906
Santa Cruz, CASanta Cruz Beach BoardwalkSanta Cruz Looff CarouselLooff1911

Rings removed

The following carousels are no longer running rings:
LocationParkNameImageManufacturerDateNotes/Updates
Brooklyn, NYConey IslandB&B CarousellMangels, Carmel frame: 1906, horses: early 1920sThe B&B Carousell on Coney Island is now city-owned in a new location and is not running rings.
Easton, PABushkill ParkBushkill Park CarouselDentzel1907Bushkill Park was closed in 2007 after being flooded in 2004, 2005, and 2006; the carousel building collapsed in 2014. Two carousels have operated at Bushkill: the first was built in 1903, installed in the 1930s, but closed in 1989 and sold in 1991. A replacement carousel built in 1915 was installed in 1993. Other sources indicate the original Dentzel carousel was sold to the Centreville Amusement Park in Toronto Islands in 1966.
Easton, PABushkill ParkBushkill Park CarouselAllan Herschell1915 Bushkill Park was closed in 2007 after being flooded in 2004, 2005, and 2006; the carousel building collapsed in 2014. Two carousels have operated at Bushkill: the first was built in 1903, installed in the 1930s, but closed in 1989 and sold in 1991. A replacement carousel built in 1915 was installed in 1993. Other sources indicate the original Dentzel carousel was sold to the Centreville Amusement Park in Toronto Islands in 1966.
Conneaut Lake, PAConneaut Lake ParkThe CarouselD.C. Muller/T.M. Harton1910
Angola, INFun Spot Allan Herschell1929Fun Spot closed in 2008.
Auburndale, FLInternational Market WorldLakeside CarouselMangels-Looff/S&G/Carmel1909The carousel, owned by the Wintersteen family and known as the "Wintersteen Menagerie Machine", was up for auction in 2008 and is closed. It was originally installed at Hanson's Amusement Park in Harveys Lake, PA.
Pen Argyl, PAWeona ParkWeona Park CarouselDentzel1923