Whistory
Arguably many of the best metal vintage whistles, especially in production amounts, have come from the UK. Perhaps this impact is so because as it was said, they ruled the seven seas, and the sun never set on their empire – at least at their zenith — theirs is a long history. So then, their influence has circumvented the globe and with them, their whistles.
This was a period where, due to a convergence in history, everything came together in the UK for manufacturing and distribution. Along with these elevated production levels, came high quality whistles taking much less labor costs than today. The years 1850 to 1930 (perhaps now expanding from 18—to 1940) were perhaps the peak years in the UK, however it may turn out to be the case in other countries (i.e. Germany, France, America, Argentina, Russia, China etc.) as well.
Why focus on American Whistles?
This SPOTLIGHT is to raise awareness of American whistles. Being a much younger country, especially on the west side, it finds that whistle makers did not develop the quality and diversity to the extent of their UK counterparts, till perhaps the 1920s. So, we find whistles dating not much further back in history in the USA, than in the middle of the ‘golden age’ in the UK. Older examples may appear of course, but generally not production levels near the level of the UK.
Future SPOTLIGHTs will highlight different American makers. This SPOTLIGHT is focusing across the board on some variety of whistles made in the USA.
What can we expect to learn from American Whistles?
This SPOTLIGHT is to raise awareness of American whistles. Being a much younger country, especially on the west side, it finds that whistle makers did not develop the quality and diversity to the extent of their UK counterparts, till perhaps the 1920s. So, we find whistles dating not much further back in history in the USA, than in the middle of the ‘golden age’ in the UK. Older examples may appear of course, but generally not production near the level of the UK.
Future SPOTLIGHTs will highlight different American makers. This SPOTLIGHT is focusing across the board some variety of whistles made in the USA.
Whistle Classification
| Type | combo escargot round duplex thin wall circumferential siren split level |
| Maker | various makers |
| Category | hunting cycling police |
| Material | iron pewter brass plated brass |
| Features | rolled mouthpiece cast mouthpiece |
Whistle Archaeology
Patents for these are for Frary, none found for North Brothers, BGIs model 601. Also, for duplex whistles, cycling such as F.L. Johnson, Chase, Bean, as well as many others, which has helped tremendously in research.
Whistology
The first up is a knife combination patented in the USA by James A. Frary in 1880. The smaller end is crafted into a whistle, and one may note the detailed work on the sides…
There is another model with two blades. This example was a production whistle; these can be found with a diligent search.
Next up is the striking example of the only known example by North Brothers, of an escargot of unique design. A mono-typical example, it is stamped several times with Patent numbers and pending. None of which has been found on any patent searches.
Circa 1897, the North Brothers, best known for tools, were in Philadelphia Penn. USA. Note there is no knop for a suspension chain and the evident drill holes facilitating the cuts of the window. It does contain the original cork ball, not wooden.
The Bridgeport Gun Implement Company, known simply as BGI, made many types of whistles of metal and other materials and was the largest whistle making company of its day, circa 1890 in the USA.
Shown here is one of two sizes model #601 a 50 caliber bullet (model #601C being the other). It is very high pitched, almost shrill and made with exceptional quality for a very early production whistle.
Patented by Charles Leet in 1881, there followed a few variations, mainly in the knops. See SPOTLIGHT # 44.
Duplex tube and multi tubed whistles have become quite popular in many designs.
Here is an early model with an unusually extended mouthpiece — patent dated 1864 but not found yet in specific drawings.
The modification of the extended mouthpiece may have been custom made or ordered.
A.L. Fischer would go on to patent ‘improvements’ in 1885, 21 years later. Banks and brother would produce a duplex whistle decades later utilizing a serrated diaphragm, while the cycling company the Overman Wheel Company (the assigner to the Fischer patent) would use a smooth diaphragm (along with another cycling entrepreneur R. Phillip Gormally) See SPOTLIGHT #48.
A massive example of a ‘beaufort’ looking whistle follows, more like a round whistle though, with only one window. It is not known whether it was to be production made or not. Quite heavy at 109 grams, it is made with very heavy brass and appears to be made from a single piece of stock, yet there is a remarkably thick diaphragm somehow inserted inside.
As mentioned, this whistle is made with an unusual attribute of just one window like a round whistle but designed as a beaufort/conical shaped whistle.
In a similar category that is akin to the whistle realm we also find sirens. F.S. Chase in 1895 patented a brass sheet metal siren that other manufacturers expanded the use of in the USA. This example is pixie size, yet fully functional. The curved openings at the end were used by B&R later in their own variety and sizes, also of a rolled metal sheet construction. These measures just 0ver 3 MM, stamped Little Siren.
In a similar category that is akin to the whistle realm we also find sirens. F.S. Chase in 1895 patented a brass sheet metal siren that other manufacturers expanded the use of in the USA. This example is pixie size, yet fully functional. The curved openings at the end were used by B&R later in their own variety and sizes, also of a rolled metal sheet construction. These measures just 0ver 3 MM, stamped Little Siren.
Lastly, we look at a very heavy, 47 grams, two window, police whistle. Patented in 1881 and stamped so on the inside on the diaphragm/disc, by the inventor E.D. Bean. He did not make them but farmed them out to others who specialized in the production of police equipment.
It is well constructed and ahead of its time in craftsmanship. The entire top knop and cap is a single brass piece, and the mouthpiece attaches just below the window, as a second of three pieces — besides the diaphragm. A much lighter and thinner sheet metal type of construction came to be used in a later model and eventually four known examples. See SPOTLIGHT #43.
Conclusions
On this SPOTLIGHT we have just touched on a variety of American designed and manufactured whistles. There are many more right now to be studied, discussed, and shown. Hopefully, these will continue to surface.
British whistles have dominated the collecting field, but this no longer needs to be the case. France has outstanding and sometimes extremely artistic whistles, that are not often seen outside their country. Germany has fine whistles to be discovered and had large whistle making companies. They are quite hard to find post war times, perhaps having been melted down or recycled for armaments, however, they do surface.
This is not to mention robust well-crafted German and French torpedo sirens of different models. Argentina has produced some interesting examples of a variety of whistles and models, as has China of which we probably have not scratched the surface of, when it comes to vintage whistles. Our focus is mainly on metal whistles.
We hope this spotlight has sparked your desire to delve deeper into history, design and variety of whistles from around the world. Please feel free to write, send pictures and perhaps share some information that will contribute to the worldwide data base.
TWG
Post March 3, 2012
Revised May 19, 2020
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
- Google Patents Search
- The Whistle Gallery website
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