Whistory
The bell whistle is close to unique in and of itself. With a circumferential window edge ( see SPOTLIGHT number 111 ) it looks more like a small steam whistle. For the longest time, these were only known to be made by Stevens for Richard Porteous.
Why This Hawskley Bell Whistle is Described
However, a bell whistle comes to light as of this writing and another has not surfaced ( yet ) made by G. & J.W. Hawksley, making it mono-typical. Interestingly here is a whistle maker of fine whistles from Sheffield UK. We are many times used to seeing fine whistles from the UK out of Birmingham or Glasgow. However Sheffield house Dixon , Hawksley and Bartram, all associated with arms, but manufacturing high end whistles.
Hawksley, Normally an Arms Accoutrement Maker
This manufacturer typically arms accoutrements, not arms themselves. Not as commonly known are the whistles manufactured of exceptionally fine quality, such as tube shaped, or round whistles found attached to their extractors, but also standalone rounds, beauforts/conicals and others although not to the height of Dixon.
Now we are presented with a bell whistle of also exceptionally fine quality. Fortunately, it is stamped.
What makes it especially important is the maker and the type of bell.
Whistle Classification
| Category | bell |
| Class | G. & J. W. Hawksley |
| Type | railway hunting police |
| Class | nickel silver |
| Sub class | ivory mouthpiece |
Whistle Archeology
Whistology
Side by side pictures reveal the stamp and unfinished as well as the finished whistle. It is higher pitched than Stevens bells.
Unlike other bell whistles, it is made of nickel silver in all its parts.
The mouthpiece was lost or broken, so we had a replacement made. No catalog or other references revealed that Hawksley ever made bells, so that we had to design one from existing Stevens’s mouthpieces.
Bell whistles were probably originally designed by Richard Porteous ( circa 1860s ) and manufactured by Stevens and company. Evidence shows that others were manufactured in or at least came through France. No other sources have been found till this date, so this is a remarkable discovery. ( as of the revision another mono-typical bell from the USA has surfaced – see SPOTLIGHT number 33 )
Side by Side Comparison, Hawksley Bell to Stevens
The nickel silver is of the highest quality. It makes sense as Hawksley manufactured powder flasks, brandy flasks, hunting loading equipment, and were accomplished whistle makers and designers.
Unusually here the top bell house itself does not screw on like Stevens does, but merely slides over the shaft and the top loop screws down tightening the bell in the process.
The shafts are pretty close in overall design, minus the shunt at the top for the bell. There is some knurling to the brass Stevens shaft. And as you can see comparatively the Hawksley shaft is tapered somewhat.
Although slightly smaller the overall design fairly follows.
Stevens was primarily aimed at the railway by this time of manufacture and Hawksley’s company had focused on hunting. So was the bell here for hunters??
A Breakout View of the Hawksley Bell and Stevens
The following provides a front to back and back to front to get a real view of Hawksley’s minor variation.
Then we will take another look at all the pieces and a close up of the manufacturers stamp.
A closer look at the stamp.
Conclusions
An unusual nickel silver bell whistle manufactured by Hawksley is rare, especially when compared with known brass bells made by Stevens.
A newly described bell whistle by a previously unknow manufacturer widens our scope of known bell whistle makers. As of this revision there are now 4 known manufacturers.
TWG
Posted November 15, 2013
Revised September 14, 2020
Revision October 11, 2020
Revised February 12, 2021
Revised December 31, 2021
Revised June 19, 2022
Bibliography:
The Whistle Gallery Reference Collection
G & J.W. Hawksley Advertisement
G & J.W. Hawksley Catalog Page
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Where to Learn More:
Spotlight > Whistle Maker by Country of Origin > United Kingdom > Hawksley
