Whistory
Although limiting ourselves to metal whistles, it is remarkable the variety whistles that exist. We constantly hear with astonishment “who knew there were so many kinds of whistles”
A Window View from a Single Year’s Searching for Rare Variety Whistles
So, it seems proper to highlight the variety in whistles found in a given year – 2012. This serves as a benchmark and is encouraging for those searching, studying and collecting. The revision in 2020, 8 years later has seen even more variety. This was the hope of the website to bring the subject more into the limelight. To this day, newly discovered whistles continue to surface.
Sometimes a cross section of whistles can be more fun than a closed view. In other words, we will look at a panoramic view of rare whistles.
Here is a SPOTLIGHT of a fraction of what one can expect to find in one particular year of diligent search. The reason to view it is that one wants to know that what they hope to find is actually there and ‘findable’.
Variety and variation, is the name of the game, but many search for series of whistle stamps also. Is there variety still to be found? Are all the good whistles taken?
Where is Whistle Collecting Heading, What Variety Whistles?
Are there ones undiscovered? — was asked 8 years ago and has certainly proved true.
The following are a few, in fact just half a dozen picks from one year. They represent a cross section of what can be found in any given year, perhaps even more today as of this writing.
Whistle Classification
| Category | combination gadget dual chamber dual tube heavy wall |
| Order | Yates Hudson Dixon Ward |
| Type | hunting carriage fire brigade |
| Class | |
| Sub class | nickel silver brass nickel plated brass |
Whistle Archeology
Little is to be dug up on these makers as merely a review and encouragement to always stay positive about the availability of rare and vintage whistles.
Whistology
The first up is quite rare and is a double ended Yates dating to circa 1880. All brass and very distinctive among combination whistles with its half round window on the GSW.
Next is a Shand Mason stamped beaufort/round combination by Hudson. Any time you see Shand Mason it is for fire brigade suppliers.
So of course, they are sought after, but as you see here, they can be found. Pure nickel silver, it dates to circa 1885 – 90. It has a wedge disc rather than the 435 flat patented disc of 1885.
Following this is a high-quality Yates carriage key. It is dated circa 1868 with the registered design date on it. All nickel silver and with a matching high-quality handle.
Now we look at a hunting gadget combination, it has a nipper, and bird killer added to the extractor and whistle. Moffat’s patent for 1885 dates it to late 19th century.
Following this is a Yates pure nickel silver dual chamber, heavy constructed whistle with accompanying chain and hook. Excellent workmanship and dated to 1870-80.
Closing out this tour is a Ward manufactured dual chamber heavy walled whistle stamped SPEEDWELL.
Finding heavy walled multi-chambered ( typically dual ) whistles is always a challenge, But to find a Ward is even harder. However, the point being is that they are out there to be found.
Again, this would date late 19th century, it is high quality, and it was in a period of heavy walled duals that only lasted about 15 years before lighter weight whistles took over due to the savings in labor and materials.
A parting group picture of high quality vintage whistles from Yates, Dowler, Hudson, Hawksley, Porteous ( design ) and Yates again.
Conclusions
Now there were twice these many that could have been posted that are just as rare or rarer, some very interesting ones that are not as rare.
Many will be posted under their own merits in the coming SPOTLIGHTS, but the point being is that if you want to find them, they are there.
TWG
Posted November 2, 2013
Revised September 14, 2020
Revised October 11, 2020
Revised February 16, 2021
Revised December 31, 2021
Revised June 19, 2022
Bibliography
The Whistle Gallery Reference Collection
The Whistle Gallery Archives
© – 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.
Where to Learn More:
Spotlight > By Whistle Category > Variety Whistle Articles
Spotlight > Whistle Maker by Country > United Kingdom > Dowler
Spotlight > Whistle Maker by Country > United Kingdom > Hawksley
Spotlight > Whistle Maker by Country > United Kingdom > Hudson
Spotlight > Whistle Maker by Country > United Kingdom > Porteous
Spotlight > Whistle Maker by Country > United Kingdom > Ward
Spotlight > Whistle Maker by Country > United Kingdom > Yates
