it is interesting to whistle students that details become more focused as collections grow and comparisons can be made finally.

Take for example the lowly TOOTHGRIP – not something aften discussed or thought about for sure…..

We remember that a selling point for Metrpolotan Police whistles at first, was supposed to be that beauforts  in general had no toothgrip for keeping the hands free, so they replaced them with a model that did. ( Of course Barrall, Hudson, DeCourcy all manufactured beauforts for many years after the Metro that DID have toothgrips didn't they ?? )

On the other hand virtually ALL round whistles that were used for police, railway, fire brigade, prisons, and military purposes have never had toothgrips !!!!

What about escargots ??

 

MORE ?? MORE reasons to collect those Metropolitan Police Whistles ??

OK how about this ???

RARITY !!!!!

Yah, finding those obscure forces that desovled or got gobbled up by other forces ( consolidated ?? )

Now it is REALLY getting interesting huh ??

Shires, burghs, counties, cities,constabularies — oh it is just too delightful !!!!! Makes me almost want to specialize. But no, toooooo confining.

Understandable though the romantic attachment to Metros.

Gotta love those cast parts too. The old stamping methods. The history to track down and sometimes even provenance.

In fact there is no end in sight and that is probably part of the addiction.

Where does one then draw the line ??

 

So let’s pick up the application of researching tube shaped whistles so that we can now apply lessons learned to ROUND whistles.

Round whistles differ in parts in that they have a fipple ( new term I know )
Usually no partition or disc — but not always, some actually DO !!!

But hey, now you know what we are talking about huh ??

What was the first thing to do when you get your new ( old ) whistle ?? Same thing with a round whistle ….

CLEAN it out

Take pics

Measure the length

Check out the top knop and plate

Measure the body, look at the stamp.

Here is one overlooked —– does it unscrew into two parts ???????????

AND also overlooked ————–take special notice of the shape of the window(s)

The next is a little harder — really examine the fipple — record, record, record…..
…..the shape inside the whistle, the curvature of the underneath – how much arch…. length of the fipple, side pins….

Type of metal ?? similar whistles you already have ??? Look for a manufacturer or even a supplier stamp ( remember those lists that Gilchrist and Topman built in CPWs ??

Break down your round whistles in the same manner as your tube shaped whistles.

next ?????

How old does a whistle have to be to collect ?? How far back to go ?? Gotta have sooooooome integrity right ?? After all I am an ANTIQUE whistle collector…..

I can tell you from my point of view that I draw the line at 1900. I don't collect anything after that date for sure. Tooooooooo new for me.

However, I did collect a few American B&R circa 1910……. in fact  quite a few…

I must admit that those Chiefs from 1914 have snuck in also —  from the states….

Can't say why, but those French rounds that H. Nicholaus distributed are accumulating circa 1920 – 1930

But that is IT, no others. Definitletly — definitely drawing the line at 1930…. for sure. Gotta stay firm and strong. No waffling — I have a reputation to maintain…..

Well, except some German whistles clear up to WW11…………… I hate to admit.

Oh, and those pesky Mauser bullet whistles from Germany, The UK, and Argentina…

And who can resist Pringle escargots from the 50s ?? I can't…..

Now I am into Frankforts circa 1950s……………….absolutely as far as I am going.

……………………..So much for integrity……..ratz………