017 Whistle Chains

Whistory

A wonderful and just plain fun category of whistle collecting is the research and study of whistle chains. This would be by default, includes the rings and hooks. Beyond that is the outfitting of whistles with personal choices of aftermarket chains that the manufacturers did not make/supply with their own whistles. 

After some study, one sees certain chains that were originally issued by each manufacturer. This sometimes helps in identification, but usually just indicates if it is close to original supply.  

The materials used were silver, nickel silver, brass, plated brass, copper, high quality steel and various lesser quality metals of steel and alloys.

What About the Lengths of Whistle Chains?

The lengths vary quite a bit and along with the design of the hooks, even the type of rings — adds even further character. The button hooks may or may not be closed. They may be quite large or diminutive. There may be cross bars for fitting inside the buttonholes.  Even the rings may be of varying quality and sizes, matching the chain set up or not. Split rings were used back into the mid-19th century and at the same time, solid rings were used that may or may not be brazed closed – usually a sign of higher quality if closed.   

Here we are going to look primarily at UK chains, USA chains and a few additional types that have been applied as whistle chains. Often what is seen when straying from actual whistle manufactured chains are watch and fob chains used for whistles.  

Who Made the Best Whistle Chains?

By far Dowler led the manufacturers with high quality nickel silver chains, but Hudson was very close if not in quality, surpassing in variety. DeCourcy made excellent chains, but of limited variety. Most other manufacturers gave little attention to this area found in the UK. In the USA, the manufacturers are harder to identify, but the chains are not, yet less in variety. 

Additionally, railway chains varied quite a bit in different brass chains. Whether they were after market by the railway or someone else is unknown, but the links seem idiosyncratic with railway whistles.  

Whistle Classification

Typeall
Makerall
Categoryall
Materialbrass
nickel silver
steel
silver
alloys
Featuresna

Whistle Archaeology

Only Hudson put out a catalog page of chains in 1935.

Comments about nickel silver chains. 

Chandelier 162nickel silver can be found on circa 1918 police issues
A.V. pattern 159nickel silver can be found on many police issues
Single link 161nickel silver less common, smaller links, light
Double link  160not found in nickel silver
Belcher 161 ½nickel silver usually found on  military two piece whistles
Trace 164 ½nickel silver rarely to be found on police, large links, heavy
Curb 160 ½silver hallmarked, rarely found

whistle chains reference chart of whistle chain link types and names used for identification

Whistology

Let’s start off with an early Dowler heavy nickel silver TRACE link (brazed oval link) The links are large and heavy when complete.

whistle chains early Dowler heavy nickel silver TRACE link with large brazed oval links

In 1935 Hudson printed a nice array of chain types they had for sale in their catalog. Many names they used were already in use for years and make for a great guide for our purposes here. This Dowler is very heavy and rather large links, almost cumbersome to carry a whistle with. However, it also makes a statement about the import of the very fine whistle that was attached.  Compare it to the same type, but smaller link.

whistle chains comparison of Dowler TRACE link showing heavy large links versus smaller tighter links

You see the tighter, smaller links better yet here together or side by side … (circa 1890).

whistle chains side-by-side view of two Dowler TRACE link examples circa 1890 showing link size differences

A beautiful link that Dowler specialized in was a large curb link seen in two gauges here…

whistle chains Dowler large curb link shown in two gauges demonstrating craftsmanship and heft

Hudson did not advertise this for sale if they did have their own. However, it is a delightful, airy and lighter feeling chain, although still substantially solid, always brazed shut.

Following this we look at some SINGLE link chain. These date back to Hudson’s earliest police issues.  It has two links that are brazed together almost forming a figure eight, but perpendicular to each other. These were quite popular and came in several sizes of links and gauges. Historically they were issued with Metropolitan whistles in the first order of 7000 that Joseph Hudson filled. Some were rejected due to the chain stretching under test. (Gilchrist – Collecting Police Whistles)

whistle chains Hudson-era SINGLE link with perpendicular figure-eight brazed links used on early police issues

A very difficult one to find (for us here anyway), is the CHANDELIER link in nickel silver as presented here…

whistle chains rare CHANDELIER link in nickel silver showing distinctive chandelier-style link pattern

It is very popular in the states, but in brass and cheaper steel or alloys.  Heavy nickel silver CURB link…

whistle chains heavy nickel silver CURB link with thick links and bright metal finish

Belcher chain is one of our favorites and is hard to find in large nickel silver, usually a smaller link…

whistle chains Belcher link in nickel silver with rounded links, a favored and hard-to-find pattern

And the A.V. link has been found in two sizes in nickel silver (so far) which usually was sold on Hudson whistles circa 1920.

Nickel silver is our favorite, but brass and copper are nice too and they get dark with patina, whereas nickel silver mostly turns a hazy yellow/silver tarnish.

whistle chains assortment highlighting nickel silver finish and patina compared with brass and copper

All these great chains have been in nickel silver, and some can be found in the following metals on various whistles or were available by order in 1935:

  • Silver
  • Tin plate
  • Nickel plated brass
  • Nickel silver
  • Nickel silver electro plate
  • Aluminum
  • Chromium plated
  • Nickel plated steel

Also listed in the catalog were:

  • TRIANGULR
  • UNI LINK
  • CLOCK PATTERN
  • OVAL LINK

Now let’s look closer at some from the states…

In the states the early whistle makers either produced or used marketed CHANDELIER patterns in a wide variety of forms and gauges as follows… (these are also sometimes seen on UK railway escargots) —– All of these are brass.

whistle chains USA brass CHANDELIER pattern examples in multiple forms and gauges arranged for comparison


The metal of choice was brass. However, many used steel and some beautiful patinas of early quality steel chains can be found. Later the quality dropped substantially.

Here are some belcher chain sizes in brass — used sparingly, perhaps bought by the owners after or at the time of the whistle purchase.

whistle chains brass Belcher sizes showing different link diameters and thicknesses

whistle chains additional brass Belcher examples showing variation in link size and build quality

The curb link was extremely popular in the states and still is, finding an old one on an early whistle is a challenge.

whistle chains classic USA brass CURB link with elongated curb links commonly used on early whistles

This distinctive ‘DOUBLE’ type link next  is made of copper, which was only used by a couple of USA manufacturers. Horstmann and one other unknown maker that produced a siren, escargot and tube shaped GSW (trifecta see SPOTLIGHT 105). They like Horstmann, preferred copper, quite unusual in the whistle world, due to corrosion.

whistle chains copper DOUBLE link pattern associated with Horstmann and rare USA makers, prone to corrosion

Other manufacturers used this pattern often, but in brass of varying quality of craftmanship . It was not offered in the UK.

And of course the very popular brass A.V link used primarily in the 1930s and 40s pre war and WW11 time for the military in varying qualities of workmanship.

whistle chains brass A.V link commonly used pre-war and WWII era military whistles with varied workmanship

whistle chains close view of brass A.V link showing link geometry and hook attachment details

Where the USA excelled was in early steel and they also came in a variety of links as follows. However original installation is a mixed bag of applications from the manufacturer, out sourcing, or just owner preference. You will note the DOUBLE link pattern in steel at the top and in the middle of the group picture below  is a unique pattern that invariably came with angled mouthpiece -2 chamber whistles by BGI and others. Here is a closeup and the group picture has two very different sizes. There are many graduated sizes in between.

whistle chains group of USA steel links including DOUBLE link and a unique pattern tied to angled mouthpiece two-chamber whistles

They were marketed for doormen, hockey,conductors, and hunting. These were always in steel and of many different guages. The hooks were small and rather short chains.

And a group picture helps to see the variety of old steel links and their terrific patina.

whistle chains group photo of old steel links showing wide variety of patterns and rich aged patina

Next up is a wrought iron link. Excellent old character to it.

whistle chains wrought iron link with rugged handmade character and dark antique surface

In closing some various applications:

whistle chains examples of applications showing different hooks, rings, and attachment styles in use

whistle chains additional application examples highlighting ring types, hook shapes, and practical carry setups

whistle chains varied setups showing mixed materials and attachment methods used by owners and services

whistle chains collection of variations demonstrating different link patterns and functional configurations

This extra-large brass curb link came with a very early five-piece escargot from Glasgow used by the fire brigade there. One can’t help but note that the whistle was meant to be kept track of. Very bulky.

whistle chains extra-large brass curb link issued with early Glasgow fire brigade escargot whistle, notably bulky

An example of a boatswain whistle chain from the USA.

whistle chains USA boatswain whistle chain example showing nautical-style chain and attachment suited to maritime use

Conclusions:

This is the first published array of a study in whistle chains by the manufacturers themselves. While so many whistles have after market chains applied by the owners that they can’t be ignored either.

As we search for more variety of original manufacturer chains, we will add them to the group here.

TWG

Posted July 1, 2013
Revised November 22, 2018
Revised September 3, 2020
Revised October 11, 2020
Revised December 30, 2021
Addendum January 2, 2022
Revised February 13, 2022
Revised February 23, 2025
Revised December 2, 2025
Revised June 10, 2026

Bibliography:

  • TWG Reference Collection
  • Catalog: Hudson, 1910
  • Catalog: Hudson, 1935

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