metropolitan police whistle

September 13, 2014 by

What is all the excitement about Metropolitan whistles anyway ??? I mean really, one whistle looks like another when it comes to police type whistles right ?? And beyond that don't all Metropolitan whistles looks alike ?? In fact isn't that what was strived for when making them ???? Iconic ????

So what's all about ?? — It's a mistake….

But it is a start anyway. Yes, there is a lot more to whistle collecting than Metropolitans. OMG !! Did I say that out loud ???

For example there are all those 'lesser' manufacturers like Barrall, DeCourcy, Dowler, Ward, Stevens etc. etc. Then there are whistle manufacturers outside the UK….yes there are other countries !!!!! Other whistles to collect !!!!

So much variety and nuance. So much more rarities. And then there is the variety !!!

But Hudson is the big dog on the block and after driving out all the competition early on set the bar for many for decades. However those early years are a wonder to the collector if one looks below the surface 🙂

keep an open mind ….

see also Click to ViewClick to View

 

Filed Under: Collecting

whistle iron (y)

September 12, 2014 by

here's some irony in a nickle silver and brass world — whistles

It may be what a whistle buyer listens for,  but matters very little to a whistle collector — wow there's tons of metaphorical synonism ( are these words even ? ) in this….

Bottom line though is that when a true whistle geek buys a whistle — more likely than not — it is for the stamp, the shape, tha manufacturer, the market  …

BUT not for the sound !! Oh yeah, it does need to be working and he ( she ) may toot on it to check it out for 'soundness' however it is in every way,  but what it was actually

made for,  that it has become valuable — now that's irony…

Filed Under: Collecting

facebook

September 11, 2014 by

well, one has to face facts I suppose. ANY media that can add to the popularity of whistles must be considered !!! ———- WHY ??

Is it just a matter of pride or what ?? Nah !!!!! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> More is better 🙂

 

Yup, if more people read and see whistles then perhaps more will surface. Then perhaps we will learn more is all

So every time Facebook's likes are employed a link to the site is spread and maybe whistles will one day be as popular as corkscrews…

well that IS hoping for a lot huh ??

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Filed Under: Website

over the radar – high profile whistles

September 9, 2014 by

When appropriate, it is fun to touch on low flying, under the radar whistles on eBay. Always fun to see one get through the mix. And rare ones at that.

However it also is interesting to watch a high profile whistle too. Why you ask ?? …. Good question 🙂
I dunno. Perhaps it is just to see how high a whistle will go. Or  it could be to watch all the 'cross' collectors come out of the woodwork and without any common sense ' throw their hat into the ring' and thereby drive the whistle into obscurity !!!! Yup, in effect push up the price. In most cases it would be an arms collector. But this one went to an eclectic whistle collector with a 'private' rating. He has had it for years now.—sorry gun guys !!! One for the whistle geeks 🙂

Take this one for example >>>>>> 331303886160 a really  great extractor whistyle – almost famous because of its bird killer blade ( must be a hummingbord, its such a small blade !! )

Gilchrist identifies it as Moffats patent on page 70 of More Whistles ( do you have this book ?? – you should ) and so it goes that it is quite rare – probably one of the best of the extractor designs I must say.
And watching it soar it probably could kill a bird on the fly — over 400UK pounds or close to 700 dollars US dollars. — OUCH !!! That leaves most of us out of the running. Do birds even fly that high ?? That's stratospheric !!!

Watching the bids though. Most bidders just took a stab at it. One did peck away at it driving it up several times fruitlessly I might add…. However the whistle was sold the whole time to one bidder who just waited till the end and then took it. No one really was in the running the whole time !!!! Yup, that's how it usually is with a very rare one.

So what do we learn other than torturing ourselves ?? If you are really interested in a rare one like this, then prepare to pay. No quibbling about it, no vascillating, just do it !!! Either that or put yourself out of your misery and erase it. OR track it for your records — you keep them right ??

Now let's try it and see how it works >>>> 291232918746

One wine guy keeps shoving the price up, bidding over and over — do you think he will win it ??

The price is 165gbp. Do you think that will be close ??

Ha !! and Ha !! again … ( twice )

 

Filed Under: eBay News & Updates

ramping up with whistle articles

August 24, 2014 by

good news, bad news !!

Time for new articles !!! OUCH ! That means writing again … aaaaaand those pictures… lots of work…. yet more info to share.

Why do it you ask ?? I dunno. Guess it seems selfish to keep learning and not sharing it.

For example, we dropped the ball and missed a recent auction for a double escargot by Auld from 1890. The thrid one we have seen so far since collecting whistles earnestly. Whats the loss by being to busy ?? It went to someone in the states and that's fine, BUT will we ever learn anything further as a community of whistle collectors ?? Doubtful—it's gone deep into a collection.

What is our goal is to win one, then photograph it better and then photograph it more, with 'comparison pix' to really digest what was built so long ago.

sorry… not this go around….

The good news is that it was obviously a 'production' whistle. There will be more to surface so keeo watching and if you spot one ———-write us right away….🙂

 

Filed Under: Collecting

ebay – under the radar

June 29, 2014 by

A new feature to be sprinkled on the blog postings we have experimented with and is fun is to highlight is — lesser known whistles to round out ones collections and research with. We call it flying under the radar. Why ?? Because they can be easily overlooked and cheap !!!

Today is a BUY IT NOW on an escargot – damaged at that !!!

301229107126 —

What do you notice besides the damage ??

First, it is easliy repairable and will look great. All one has to do is bend back out the sprung side. Just use some needle nose pliers and cloth ( to keep from scratching the patina.)

Then use some epoxy to hold it back in place – you want to overbend it out a bit and then clamp it flat with a C clamp, wipe off the excess. Now you have a great whistle !!!

Why great you ask ?? Good question !! It looks rustic and plain doesn't it ?? However that is why it is under the radar…no second looks.

Let's take a second look. Peek at the top knop. Note how the 'ring' is unusual ?? It is more like a flat wire isn't it ?? In your research in More Whistles by Martin Gilchrist ( you have that done't you ?? ) You find that only Alfred DeCourcy used that top knop. One of 5 different tops on his escargots. Quite important to a whistle GEEK 🙂

Then you see that it is stamped the Thunderer,  so that dates it well before Hudson ratained the name in court.

Please note that PATENT is stamped on it too. Most likely for the tongue—now try to research that next….We will leave that up to you for now, as you are obviously off and running….

 

The best part ?? It is on a BUY IT NOW for cheap on eBay !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TWG

 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

identifying whistles

June 25, 2014 by

It's all about connecting the dots 🙂

Sure, remember those dot pictures from elementary school. Yeah, you know, the ones that had fifty dots scattered all over the page and when you connected them according to the numbers you drew a DOG !! OR you drew a FISH !!!

It all came together after connecting the dots and then you could see the big picture and identify what you were looking for.

Same way with whistle research. … What are the dots though ?? They are the actual physical whistles, catalogs, books —- and perhaps websites 🙂

Admittedly one does have to buy whistles to have enough dots, as there are far less books, catalogs etc — right??  And those whistles can be spendy, but that is the bottom line. Not to be overlooked is writing and communication with other collectors.

So, after collecting as many whistles as one can afford, along certain lines of manufacturers or types or materials, or years….one gets to know the bigger picture and progress is made.

Tempting as it may be one can't just say oh, it's a CAT !!! Nope, might be a SKUNK or an ELEPHANT or ??? Same with whistles. Can't just say it was made by someone without enough dots. Perhaps a stamp or a catalog or ??? Can't just say it dates to a certain time without evidence.

None the less,  it is a fun game research. Makes the hunt as fun as finding a new whistle….

TWG

Filed Under: Uncategorized

6 piece whistle

June 24, 2014 by

What's so interesting about 6 piece escargot whistles ??? —- They are HEAVY !!!! So what, you say 🙂      Well beauty is in the eyes or should I say in the hands of the beHOLDER.

They just feeeeeeeel, well, for lack of a better word ……… MORE.

Add to this, the fact that they lasted only a couple years in manufacturing — 1890 to 1891 and then the market dropped off with Hudsons patented three peice, so that the design still exists today. WAY too much work and expense for the money even back then. Their demise was imminent.

Auld led the field with three sizes ( I found a fourth ), yet there are others like McDonald, Ward and some unnamed manufacturers.

So as it goes here is one that may well fly under the radar !! >>>>>> 301223859377. An AULD made from 6 pieces….

knop
2 sides
top of mouthpiece
2 piece barrel
total ?? 6 PIECES !!!!
 

You get to see all the angles, however take note that the seller has NO sales as yet  and is unproven.

Well best wishes on it !!!  ( The under rated escargot article is great reading on the website by the way…TWG

Filed Under: eBay News & Updates

eBay whistle

June 8, 2014 by

—————————————————————————-did you spot this on eBay ??

271513498905

Marked as Improved City Police.

Rare Stevens police whistle. Granted it is not assigned to any police force, but any whistle by Stevens is rare !! It will probably go cheap, because it is flying 'under the radar' don't you think. Normally we would bid on this to resell it.

However, it is fun to share and see others grow in their collections. Fun to exchange information. Go for it !!!!

Really in great shape and consider it is nickle silver, pre 1900 and a rare manufacturer.

What do you think ????

 

Let's all watch and see if it does anything !!!   TWG

Filed Under: eBay News & Updates

collecting whistles

June 6, 2014 by

well, it's been a while since posting !!! However there is soooooo much interest in rare whistles ( metal only, no tin 🙂 That people crave to read what is going on in the whistle world.

Here is a small perspective….a byte kinda…

Bosuns. Yup they are really taking off. Seems like they have doubled and then doubled again in prices. It really has become quite a catagory to collect. They are varied too–whoda thunk ??? Just a pipe right ??
Nah, short or long, silver or brass, Pewter – brittania ( admittedly rarer ) It would seem that they have finally come into their own.

Silver has also skyrocketed. The best silver has always commanded high prices, but now even the smaller ones are going up. However they are still quite affordable compared to corkscrews ya know ??

There is an amazing amount of bargains amongst the climbing prices to be sure. Hopefully as we redesign the website more will be able to be brought out to see.

In the mean time, keep writing and sending those pix 🙂 It has already been a great year and some very rare ones have surfaced.

TWG

Filed Under: Collecting
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