Curious about the initials D.R.G.M. ??? Ya see 'em on German whistles sometimes.

Registrations are different than patents. Some interesting reading about it at the following link…

http://www.porcelainmarksandmore.com/resources/vocabulary/drgm.php

I like the part about poor mans patent !!!! Just received a cheaply constructed whistle from Germany with that stamp and thought you might want to take note of it ( saved here anyway ) —- you know, for your records…. helps in dating them too.

Hmph…cheap whistle construction….at least it has a stophole 🙂

It is surprising how often we get asked about how do I clean my whistle. Finally figured it out !!! It is a trick question !!!!

It's not how do I cleeeeean my whistle , but how do I disinfect it    🙂    EASY …. bleach, well, diluted bleach water to be exact. Just add some bleach to some water very dilute and then soak them in it. If you like scrub them with a brush.

BEFORE that though look inside. It is amazing how much of a fur ball can get into that small whistle !! Especially those tube shaped ones. So take some tweezers and empty them out, then scrub and soak them.

Now you can safely blow away, well unless it is made of lead at all and then of course you don't want to put them in your mouths at all !! You could always use an air can like we do 🙂 ( get them at Costco )

Oh and be careful, no abrasives right ???

Don't you love the feel of those old metal whistles ?? I might take a chance here and say that one just doesn't get that feel from a comparably old PLASTIC whistle, huh ?? Why is that ??

PATINA

Interesting subject really. I am no metallurgist for sure. I can't even get all the info figured out about oxides, carbonates and sulfides, residues left on the surface of our whistles reacting ( i.e. oxidation ) to the atmosphere surrounding them. BUT this I do know — Makes them look ( and feel ? ) really old — and for some reason it is comforting. Aged, but steady mates they are haaaaaar ( pirate talk ).

Apparently the coating actually helps preserve the metal, instead of just eating it away. Who knew ?? Another thing I learned is that wooden ones, horn, antler etc.  get patina too. Well I kinda knew it,  just never made the connection. Wooden whistles get darker with age too !!

Yet here's another thing about patina. It caaaan refer to the surface texture that can result from normal use — over a period of time. NO, I don't mean anything like the mouthpieces turning into some strange kinda patina due to someones lips being in contact, that would be just toooooo weird. But those oils and chemicals from our hands wear into those old timers and it also affects the FEEEEEEEL … Wow, closure !!!

So, it is the age, plus the air, plus the oils from our hands and well of course the type of metal ( and I might add the quality of that particular metal ) that adds up to that sometimes marvelous and yet enigmatic patina.

Always interesting the questions that arise while learning. Thought you would be interested in an enquiry from Australia ….

I have come across a Thunderer whistle on UK ebay that appears to be very early. (ebay  150825…… ). It only has markings "The Thunderer Patent"set in an oblong box on the upper mouthpiece. I have searched the books but cannot come up with any information on that style of Thunderer. I would think that wording might indicate that a patent had been applied for but not yet granted, although they usually put "patent applied for"don't they.

'Good eye' Bob 🙂 ( pun intended )

You are improving right along. This looks to be made to the earliest of Hudson's Glasgow patent. Happened right after the 6 piece MacDonald and Auld hit the market. That would date between 1891 and 1905. Whether this one falls in that period or not I can't tell. It may or may not have the word PATENT on it and still fall in that time period. No matter, the design is exactly the same !! They used the boxed stamp on and off early on till circa 1910. These are smaller than they look in the picture.

There are plenty to be found, nonetheless can be just as collectable and old as the heavy 5 and 6 piece oldest Glasgow designed whistles !!!

Originally I think that Black and Company used the block THUNDERER image. You may recall that Hudson didn't get exclusive rights to the Thunderer name for themselves until a much later date ( 1927 ). My guess is that they won that decision because they had run everyone out of business anyway !!! Regardless,  India was using it spelled correctly and incorrectly even in the 1940s

Postage shows as not free from where I am looking as you also mention, but maybe on your end. Personally I think it is priced too high if you take your time. Doesn't look to be the best of condition too if you are patient.

It is true that the three books on Whistles by Gilchrist are somewhat essential. Until at least more is available on the internet. Keep those questions coming !!!!