Whistory
With the study of whistles, it helps tremendously to know what goes into making them into whistles,?not that you need a college degree, but just to be able to communicate?easily with each other about the whistle parts?when going about attempting?to identify?and date?them. We are reminded that inside a whistle is the fingerprint of the maker.
What whistle parts are we discussing?
So, let’s look at some exteriors and the ‘innards’ and see what makes them different and what makes them alike.
What two directions will we need to take with the whistle parts?
This will help you in two major ways — what to use in identifying different manufacturers including dating the whistles and to be able to communicate with others about your whistles accurately. Especially is this important until you master some photography.
Whistle Classification
| Type | general |
| Maker | Hudson primarily |
| Category | conical rounds tubular escargots boatswain pipes circumferential |
| Material | nickel silver nickel plated brass |
| Features |
Whistle Archaeology
It is not uncommon to read forums where collectors are grasping for identification by scrutinizing the stamps, lettering and exterior parts, when the inside parts many times can, in short order, clearly identify who made the whistle.
Categories for Whistle Parts We’ll Examine
We will look at and into the following whistles – conical, tubular, escargots, rounds, boatswain pipes and circumferential.
- conical
- tubular
- escargots (French for snail-shaped)
- rounds
- boatswain pips
- circumferential
The first four groups were named or at least first published by Martin Gilchrist from the UK who pioneered many?guidelines for studying whistles?( see Collecting Police Whistles and other Types 1998 and More Whistles 2005 ) and wanted to be able to facilitate communication?with other collectors and students.
However not a lot is spent describing boatswain pipes whistle parts, as much was already established, having been in existence for hundreds of years. Circumferential is a reference originated at the Whistle Gallery to describe bell and other whistles that use the entire perimeter of the tube edge or bell to create the whistle sound, rather than a section through a single facing or multiple ‘windows’.
Some useful terms often used:
- conical – shaped whistle
- barrel -?the body major of escargot whistles
- body seam -?early tubes needed to be seamed together, eventually tube stock without a seam was developed
- circumferential – for describing the entire body edge that air passes over to make a whistle sound, as opposed to a smaller shaped single window
- diaphragm -major section at the base of the window(s) to diffuse the air blown through the mouthpiece holding?the?disc, fipple or wedge etc.
- disc – flat part of the diaphragm
- escargot – snail shaped whistle (French name)
- tubular (general service whistle) acronym GSW, tube shaped?whistle (those not?manufactured for a specifically named use, like police force?or fire brigade, i.e. civil)
- knop – top part usually rounded, to hang the chain or string off, commonly with a hole
- rolled mouthpiece machine rolled opening rather than cast
- mouthpiece – the end, round or hourglass shaped which is blown through
- partition – inside the whistle chamber, a division that creates 2 or more chambers
- pea – ‘triller ball’, early on was a pea or stone, cork etc. – creates a staccato effect
- Porteous top – in tube shaped whistles the extra rounded top cap of Richard Porteous’ design
- ring – top ring in place of a knop, pillar attachment point, also called the shackle on bosons.
- sidewalls – both sides on the escargot of the barrel
- stop hole – a hole in the body usually above the window, for varying the sound (as opposed to a drain hole for saliva)
- tine – projections from the disc or partition wall to help solder to the sidewalls inside of the tube
- toothgrip – at the mouth or mouthpiece opening as some form of projection to hold the whistle in your mouth hands free
- tongue – an?inserted piece into the mouthpiece of escargots to prohibit the pea from jamming
- top cap – the top of the whistle just under the knop, ring, pillar etc.
- wedge – typically in conicals in the same manner as the disc that is attached to the partition
- window – the hole (many shapes) allowing air to escape when blown, exiting against the edge to make the whistle sound
Whistology
First up, let’s look into a conical whistle parts. It is easy to see that it is conical shaped, and what makes it different inside from straight tubular whistles is the diaphragm. It is a wedge (rarely seen in tubular whistles) instead of what you commonly see in tubular whistles, commonly is a flat disc.
Later in the timeline Hudson did switch to a flat disc in conicals and rounds, most others never changed. So in Hudson conicals you will see a flat diaphragm disc that is very thick. Otherwise, the sharp part of the wedge faces the hole (mouthpiece or mouth opening) where air is initially blown into the cone shaped barrel.
Thereafter, directing this directs the air out of the two holes (windows) of the cone at that time exiting yet also at the correct angle to cause a shrill sound. The top is the knop where the chain or lanyard is attached.
is attached.
Now, as we look into the whistle parts you can see where the top is soldered, but also allows us to have access to see a separating piece called the partition which fits into the top groove of the wedge.
Terms learned:
- Beaufort
- Diaphragm
- Wedge
- Mouthpiece
- Window
- Knop
- Partition
If you are looking into the cone from the topside and down, you see the wedge still intact. Then pulled out you can see the wedge shape. You can also clearly see the partition and how it functions.
See the edge of the wedge shape looking up the whistle:
And finally, the whistle parts as they should be installed…
Next, we look at the more common tubular GSW.
You see right away with the tubular design, that the parts can be installed from two different directions when manufacturing. Then the top cap is soldered on as well as the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece was cast in early whistles and later was machined and ‘rolled’ at the edge to cut costs of labor. The seam to the tube could be found between the windows or even through them. Eventually there would be seamless tube stock. Some whistles were made without mouthpieces at all by eliminating mouthpieces in a unibody type whistle.
Inside of whistle parts are like fingerprints. The manufacturing identifies who the maker was. Indeed, it has been said that the manufacturer can be identified clearly from the tool or ‘witness’ marks used at each facility. This makes sense and with more whistles identified by other means this would help for ones unknown to be tracked down.
The diaphragms or sometimes a simple disc reveals tremendously the secrets of the makers. In More Whistles by Martyn Gilchrist, there are great pictures of whistle diaphragm parts dating to the earliest ones made by Hudson and forward in time. They went from merely cast discs, to stamped ones and each stage of development and patents, helps in dating the whistle as well as the attachment points.
So, let’s break one down.
We will look at a whistle circa 1900. It has a machined mouthpiece.
- F. 1 the whole whistle – a general service whistle or GSW.
- F. 2 is expanded in parts the separating wall is still in place
- F. 3 the top cap which is cast and a flat contact surface.
- F. 4 is the top removed and looking down into the whistle
- F. 5 is looking from the mouthpiece end up into the whistle body, the disc inserted back in
- F. 6 the mouthpiece with rim capable of slipping over the tube
- F. 7 the open end of the mouth with the edges machine curled towards the inside
The manufacture, type, ( cast or pressed ) and placement are all important details.
At first simple discs were soldered into place. They came loose (or fell out), so tines were added to attach to the sides. The tines are the long pieces at the top here and faced down towards the mouthpiece. Later they would be split and fit upwards towards the top cap and straddle the partition.
Next is a look at a machined mouthpiece with the front edge (mouth opening) ‘rolled’ around the inside edge to make it smooth rather than a work intensive cast mouthpiece. Compare that to a fully machined one out of the USA that was made from one solid piece of brass on a lathe, which was developed later in the whistle making timeline. Then compare a cast one still attached to a whistle, side by side – all three. All three of these come in variations, but these are the three basics to recognize.
Always remember that guidelines?presented here are not rigid rules as to what a manufacturer used and when they used their whistle parts, sometimes even years later.
- Cast – pre 1884-5 ( sometimes they were used later as in oval whistles, King whistles or even from spare parts )
- Rolled- 1885 to present
- Lathe – 1930 and on
Here are a couple whistle parts pictures thrown in. One with a partition that has a disc already attached, no separate diaphragm needed. Then a unibody that eliminates the need for a separate mouthpiece.
Next up are escargots. You might think that they are uneventful and alike. However, there is a tremendous amount of variation and this makes it even more important to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges, so to speak.
The escargot has several features to be aware of. Historically it was first seen in button whistles, then in the 1880s it lightened up in metal construction, but was similar, yet without actual buttons used for the sidewalls. However, by 1890 there were more whistle parts and heavier cast parts were used in 4,5 &6 piece?construction. Finally, these gave way to 3-piece construction of one top (folded over on each side) and sides, one bottom and the knop. Additionally, there came the inserted piece of the tongue to keep the twitter ball (or pea) from jamming. making it a 4-piece whistle again.
Notable parts are the mouthpiece to blow in. The barrel of the body major. The raised top and bottom ridge called the tooth grip(s) which sometimes are exaggerated or even soldered?on, but mostly pressed outwards by machines. Each part is useful in identification and at the least categorizing them.
Next, we are looking at an 1885 handmade example for extra discussion. Note this one has under strengthening to support the mouthpiece.
An exploded view illustrates:
- Barrel
- Pea
- Sidewalls (2)
- Mouthpiece
- Under strengthening
- Tooth grip
Compared to post 1900 escargots, there the barrel wrapped around and a lip was inserted (to keep the ‘pea’ from jamming). Each of these parts are useful for identifying the manufacturer, dates and variation of models.
New terms learned:
- Under strengthening
- Sidewalls
- Lip
- Pea
- Barrel
- Tooth grip
Lastly, round whistles are just that (mostly) they are round, usually with one window. However, it is not unusual to have a stop hole for varying the sound. Additionally, they usually have a mouthpiece with a fipple to fit next to the persons lower lip.
Round whistles can be cast, made from drilled out solid rod, or machine pressed. Usually they have but one window. Stop holes may be incorporated, usually not. The knop commonly has a hole, but older ones may have not used one and a string had to be carefully knotted. A fipple was?fitted into the mouthpiece hole made of metal, or wood and is inserted, pins were used, solder or other means for retention. Fipples are another means of identification. Sometimes the top cap and knop could be threaded to screw on to the body to make it a two-piece whistle.
Boson whistles
Boson whistles can be understood by their parts as seen in the diagram. They come in many models but follow these guidelines.
Circumferential Whistles
This is the principle of circumferential windows. Note the edge from a bell whistle accepts air around the entire edge.
Conclusions
We hope this helps to kick off things for you and we have predated this SPOTLIGHT to lay the groundwork as you navigate through all the articles.
Looking at rounds, escargots, bosons, and circumferential whistles is pretty obvious how they work.?It’s easy to see inside them. There are quite a few construction techniques that have developed over the years of manufacturing, but for the most part they are all easy to see inside, as the windows are large.
You may want to get a good small flashlight though. Construction techniques were merged, overlapped, and combined as well as broken up over many years and manufacturers —- so don’t get too rigid in your thinking.
Finally, some things you will eventually want to acquire are:
1) flashlight ( we also use a fiber optic light )
2) magnet for testing for steel and iron
3) calipers – inside and outside
4) scale
5) brushes – fine bristle, toothbrush and also brass as it doesn’t scratch when it cleans built up dirt and oxidation
6) magnifying glasses and especially head gear
7) picks (we like dental) and tweezers
8) polishing cloths
9) pliers (flat smooth) needle nose and jewelers flat vise type
10) glue, solder and epoxy
11) camera especially capable of close ups
12) air cans
13) tags of some sort
14) computer
15) oil – we use olive oil for conditioning wooden fipples
TWG
Posted November 11, 2012
Revised May 16, 2018
Revised October 10, 2020
Revised February 12, 2021
Revised December 27, 2021
Revised December 29, 2021
Revised January 30, 2022
Revised April 27, 2026
Bibliography:
- TWG Reference Collection
- Collecting Police Whistles and Similar Types, by Martyn Gilchrist and Simon Topman, 1998.
- More Whistles, Martyn Gilchrist, 2005.
- Website: http://www.militarywives.com/index.php/what-do-the-boatswain-pipe-call-sound-like
- Website: http://www.dundasseacadets.com/uploads/9/8/1/8/9818667/boatswains_20call.pdf
© – All photos with blue background property of The Whistle Gallery reference collection. Please contact The Whistle Gallery for permission of use of any website content. Spotlight articles are copyrighted. Please contact The Whistle Gallery for permission of use of any website or Spotlight article material written or otherwise. Use of photos without authorization is prohibited.
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