165 Hudson Acme Model 48 Tubular Whistle (Micro Study)

Whistory

This is a Micro Study of The Acme smaller tubular whistles and associated stamps. ‘The Acme’ was registered in 1886 by Joseph Hudson. In examining Hudson catalogs from 1910, 1935 and others it is hard to discern the model number, even in comparisons.

How to Focus on Which Model of The Acme Tubular Whistles?

However, Collecting Police Whistles and Similar Types shows some side-by-side tubular whistles in figure 37 on page 42. There the middle whistle of 7 is stamped The Acme Registered J.H. & Co. Patent. This whistle is identified in the marginal references on page 43 as model 048, merely stamped as ‘Acme’ (incorrectly). It measures 76mm in length, which is shorter than the standard police issue of model 015, which is 84mm.

On page 56 of More Whistles, Gilchrist revisits model 048 in the bottom picture with Young and Co. Referee and W. Shillock. This second whistle has a two-piece top which is what the Patent stamp is for, the earlier being stamped Patent for the 435 disc. Tines pointing towards the mouth opening.

Because Hudson manufactured so many sizes during these years, it could easily fall through the cracks and be overlooked. Yet as a series it did endure as an engaging, quality made small tubular whistle. It never reached the level of a nickel silver or a nickel model. It was made of brass and nickel-plated brass.

What Further Measurements Can be Seen of These Acme Whistles?

Additionally, the mouthpiece was made shorter. While the model 015 measured 17mm, the 048 model just 14mm.

The tubular body measured 16mm, and thereby was reduced to 15mm

This meant the main body of the larger was 48mm, 5mm less with 43mm for the smaller.

In doing this, it created a higher pitch whistle. It was only made of brass and nickel-plated brass. With cast top loops and machined rolled mouthpieces.

Whistle Classification

Typetubular
MakerHudson
Categorycivil
Materialbrass
nickel plated brass
Features

Whistle Archaeology

acme tubular whistle comparison from 1910 catalog page showing Model 048 (left) and Model 015 (right)
A 1910-page, Model 048 left – model 015 right. 

Known Stamps:

  • The Acme Registered J.H. & Co. Patent (for patent 435) 
  • The Acme Patent Referee 
  • Referee patent W. Shillock Birmingham (More Whistles, pg. 56) 
  • Patent 
  • Hudsons Patent Young & Co. London Referee 
  • The Acme Patent 
  • The Acme Hudson’s Patent 
  • |The Acme Reg’d.

Whistology

acme Model 048 small tubular whistle close-up showing stamped top cap and mouthpiece detailacme tubular whistle side profile highlighting body length and window placement on Model 048

acme whistle group photo showing Model 048 construction details and two-window tubular design

Compare the model 048 to model 015 made at 131 Barr street circa 1885-88 

acme Model 048 compared to Model 015 made at 131 Barr Street circa 1885–1888, showing size difference

As late as 1920s the 048 was made with a patented two piece top cap for Aldershot Stores.

acme Model 048 with patented two-piece top cap made for Aldershot Stores, showing cap construction

An early model cobbled together.

acme early tubular whistle example cobbled together, showing mixed parts and improvised assembly

acme tubular whistle close-up showing stamp area and body finish for Model 048 variant

Conclusions

Model 048 was manufactured in its prime during the later half of the 1880s. It was sparingly made for decades. 

Model 048 was the shortest of the tubular civil ‘double note’ series with two windows. 

TWG

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Bibliography:

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