colorful and varied, tin litho whistles are really fun looking. They are pretty cheap for the most part too. That really helps if you are a whistle geek and yet on a budget. They aren't too big or cumbersome, but displaying might be a bugaboo.

I imagine one could collect hundreds without doubling up. Many are Japanese, but identifying makers would be a nightmare !!! Probably just stick with designs and colors. They are of course steel and not tin.

Here's a link for that enigmatic shortened name 'litho'

http://www.virtualbargains.com/home.cfm/page/Articles/Article/3.html

Do you think clickers would fall into here ??? Oh, yeah….

Another pertinent question that follows yesterday is…

"does one use a gut feeling, respond to the rush or just pick a figure and hope:

The gut feeling you will use for all the decisions we discuss today. Responding to the rush is another decision right ?? Do you want the whistle so much that you would be willing to pay more than what you feel it is worth and indeed above the current 'market price' – can you live with that feeling ( often called buyer’s remorse ) afterwards ?? Indeed auctions have a special chemistry that can go south on you in a hurry !!! ( Or do you say down under that things can go north ?? )

Picking a figure is the most important thing if you decide to fish in these fishing holes. You have total control that way and are not persuaded to overspend. Does your wife agree with your budget, is it free cash or needed for other things ?? If the hobby becomes more important can you shift directions and sell off other 'interests' and re use that money ??

I know you probably know all of this, but there is a tremendous amount of psychology involved in why people collect. One really needs to get to the root of THAT and then determine where to go with one’s life….or not….

we're staying rather focused right now on this subject of alloys and other grey whistles, well admittadly obsessing. What's in 'em anyway ????

spelter — zinc with something else like copper — so it is an alloy
pewter — tin ( mostly ) with something else, like copper, antimony, silver and others, —  so it is an alloy
brittania — less tin and more copper or something else, — so it is an alloy
zinc — an element. Brass is made from it and copper. Sometimes called spelter.
antimony/lead — two metals mixed as an alloy
lead — and lastly ….

Lead is easy — lead !!!

just a few more notes to unconfuse us a little. Remember don't put those lead ones in your mouth 🙂

got caught up thinking about zinc now. Obsessing really….

confusing kinda ?? Can be a little…all because of zinc —- and those other metals that are all grey too, so got to thinking about it and well,

spelter
pewter
brittania
zinc
antimony/lead
lead

ALL were used to make whistles !!! However our special area of interest  tonight issssss….yes ZINC !!!! Here are a few bits of trivia to chew on…..

Cast zinc is brittle when cold. Heated to 200°, it is ductile as well as malleable, and may be rolled into sheets retaining these properties at that temperature; while, if the temperature be allowed to exceed 400°, the zinc returns to its original condition of brittleness.

Zinc does oxidize more easily, that's why steel is plated with it. The zinc nearest to the environment, the exposed surface, oxides, and this oxide forms a protective layer for the rest of the zinc and the steel. The same principle would work with steel as well, but for the fact that iron oxide, rust, flakes off all to easily, exposing fresh metal

— exposed to the atmosphere, pure zinc reacts with oxygen to form zinc oxide, which further reacts with carbon dioxide to form zinc carbonate, a dull grey, fairly strong material that stops further corrosion.

The easiest alloy to cast, it offers high ductility, high impact strength and is easily plated. Zinc is economical for small parts, has a low melting point and promotes long die life.

When molten zinc solidifies it expands somewhat, thus giving perfectly sharp castings

………..pennies are made of zinc with a copper coating.

So for now let's say circa 1920-40 on zinc escargots  ?? Certainly would like to pin it down closer but for now at least here is a starting point 🙂 Ironically as cheap as they were made, they could become more valuable with a little extra attention….

Got an interesting enquiry about a zinc escargot whistle yesterday. It is stamped Thunderer and has a V top. The insert to the mouthpiece is brass as well as the V, but the main body is zinc.. One of those whistles that is rare but not worth much ?? It has Tryon stamped to one side. — A sporting company from the states.

It's in More Whistles on page 25, but stamped differently as Officer's Call.

So anyway, it reminded me of one in Whistle Notes ( I know, haven't posted it yet ) out of Jim Fitch's collection. Same whistle again, but with Thomas E. Wilson stamped on it. — A sporting company from the states also.

These whistles are not common and rather cheaply made. Apparently not helping their survival rate at all !!! However that is not what is so interesting. In this case it is the stamps.

Gilchrist states that they are circa 1930s, yet Tryon was merged about 1931 ?? Beyond that Thomas E. Wilson stamps were much earlier ( circa 1920 ?? ) They quickly changed to just Wilson.  

So a conundrum exists now !!!

It's great questions and subjects like this that lead to uncovering delectable morsels of whistle trivia.