Whistory
This SPOTLIGHT special edition focuses on the second known example of the TRAFFIC escargot. It was first brought to light by another website/blog and has since been seen only a third time. However, we thought to take a closer look at its name, background and construction. Not monotypic, but still very rare.
How Rare Are These Escargot Whistles?
Surprisingly, for selling police equipment for decades, few of these escargots have been found. The underside is struck with S.A. French N.Y. Martin Gilchrist does not list this escargot in More Whistles. Of course he primarily focused on UK whistles.
Any Unusual Escargot Features?
What is interesting and sets it apart is its very heavy construction. Uniquely fitted to the top is a very large and what would seem awkward ring for the knop. More likely used as a finger ring.
Three whistles have been recorded, and no rings were loose, surprisingly so, as they would seem to come loose because they stand so tall. The side walls are thicker than usual (and the barrel) and yet the whistle is not cumbersome.
Whistle Classification
| Type | escargot |
| Maker | unknown maker S. A. French (distributor) |
| Category | police |
| Material | nickel silver |
| Features | large top ring heavy side walls |
Whistle Archeology
Samuel Aldin French was a New York distributor and not a manufacturer, who supplied goods for the military and police at first and then restricted himself to just police equipment… His stamp can be seen from the underside of the escargot whistle seen below.
S.A. French Born 1856, Death 1926
S.A. French was born in 1856 and at 29 he opened his retail business that would span over four decades. His products included buttons, clubs and whistles. Products were of John J. Tower, Ed Bean and others, it is uncertain whether Tower manufactured his whistle, he certainly was capable of doing so. However, the under strengthening suggests French manufacturing. Samuel French was also an inventor holding two patents. He is most notably known for his presentation night sticks.
1885 – 1895 400 Broome Street ( military and police goods )
1895 — 1925 108 West 28th ( police goods only )
He died in 1926 and at that time the business ceased.
Besides the escargot, French distributed a unibody tube shaped whistle with the S.A. French stamp along with Metropolitan on the top cap around the loop. Perhaps others will be identified.
A catalog was issued in 1887 of 40 pages. His pre 1900 catalogue also carried BGI and Hudson whistles. There, what appears to be a Hudson Metropolitan Police picture has S.A. French stamped on the front. Studies have shown that the Metropolitan Police stamp was at first restricted to London Police and then was used for other constabularies. Perhaps it was also used for the USA market?
It is remarkable that for four decades S.A. French traded in New York and yet few of these escargots have surfaced. No catalog has shown this whistle.
An 1897 advertisement.
Whistology
The underside stamp.
The full view…
As can be seen this is an extraordinary whistle in many ways. For this time, it was a very robust design. Up front is the TRAFFIC stamp aimed at the police force market. The material is nickel silver.
One notes next that the window is of extraordinary size and has a larger proportional cork ball.
Because of this large opening the sides of the windows needed adjustment, and the cuts went deep into the side of the barrel ends.
As can be seen, there needed to be added under-strengthening of the mouthpiece making it a truly 6-piece whistle. You can see from the various angles that the sides are almost twice as thick as usual, giving it tremendous rigidity although continuing to be surprisingly light.
Each of the tooth-grip lines are very straight and thin but are none the less pressed out from the inside.
Unusually made is the top ring. Ordinarily it would be much smaller. In this case allowing it to be clipped or finger ringed — the size of the ring is quite large and yet is very rigidly attached.
Even though out of proportion at first glance, it is well balanced, and no doubt served a valuable utilitarian purpose of the day, perhaps allowing traffic patrol freely using their hands.
Perhaps other S.A. French stamped whistles will surface, and we hope one day to find out the manufacturer.
Conclusions
The S.A. French escargot stands as a unique design. Despite forty years of business sales with the police in New York, it remains scarce. It is robust and well made. No patent is known.
The top ring is large, the sidewalls very thick and sturdy. A very robust design.
TWG
Posted October 18, 2013
Revised September 14, 2020
Revised February 12, 2021
Revised December 31, 2021
Revised June 19, 2022
Revised December 3, 2025
Revised July 16, 2026
Bibliography:
- TWG Reference Collection
- The Whistle Gallery Archives
- More Whistles, Martyn Gilchrist, 2005.
- American Police Equipment: A Guide to Early Restraints, Clubs and Lanterns
- 1897 S.A. French catalog
© – All photos with blue background property of The Whistle Gallery reference collection. Please contact The Whistle Gallery for permission of use of any website content. Spotlight articles are copyrighted. Please contact The Whistle Gallery for permission of use of any website or Spotlight article material written or otherwise. Use of photos without authorization is prohibited.
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