Green’s Dictionary of Slang

tinkler n.²

a (front-door) bell.

1827		Egan Anecdotes of the Turf, the Chase etc. 183: One of the ‘dusty Bob’ fraternity, with his tinkler in his hand, was the bridesman to his cousin jemmy. ‘I say, Cinder Jack, give your bell a touch, to make jemmy awake.’.
1838		Dickens Oliver Twist (1966) 232: Hark! [...] I heard the tinkler.
1873		Sl. Dict. 323: Tinkler a bell. ‘Jerk the tinkler,’ ring the bell.
1887		Morn. Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld) 16 Aug. 3: Jerk the tinkler and the slavey will let you out.
1895		Crowe Aus. Sl. Dict. 86: Tinkler, a bell.
1900		Sun (NY) 14 Jan. 6/2: He [...] was a ringin’ the tinkler and orderin’ up the lush by the bellboy full.
1941		D. Burley N.Y. Amsterdam Star-News 19 July 13: I digs the pile o’ bricks and collars a duster up th’ steps and lays it hard on the tinkler.

In phrases

sling a tinkler (v.)

to ring a bell.

1890–1904

Farmer & Henley Sl. and Its Analogues.