020 Dowler Top GSW (Special Edition)

Whistory

On page 62 of Collecting Police Whistles and Similar Types is pictured an atypical civil whistle thought to be made by William Dowler and Sons. What sets it apart from the other Dowler whistles and what makes it similar?

Why are we Focused on the Top for this Dowler Comparison?

To begin with, what sets it apart is because of the top, it is much more like a round whistle top, very unusual for any whistle maker, perhaps mono-typical. So, we thought of presenting here what appears to be the same whistle for cross reference to a round whistle.  

Can it be Compared to Dowler Round Whistles? 

Further thought is that Dowler made very few round whistles, especially stamped. Continual research has proved this to be so, in that despite deep research only a few models have been found with Dowler’s stamp. Perhaps the rarity of the Dowler stamp or initials has led to this difficulty in identification. This certainly was not an issue with Police whistles for them.

Therefore, this is a close look at a specific whistle by a master whistle maker circa 1880…

Whistle Classification

Typetubular
MakerDowler
Categorycivil
Materialnickel silver
Featuresround type top

Whistle Archeology

Fig 60 page 62 of Collecting Police Whistles and Similar Types – 77mm, 1880s No Markings internal components typically Dowler’s design. Rare.

This appears to be the same whistle as pictured. 

Whistology

Dowler tubular civil whistle with round-type top cap, 77mm, nickel silver, circa 1880s

The length is right at 77mm and weight is 42 grams. You can’t see it here, but the separating wall or partition, extends through the disc with a wide rectangular section typical of Dowler.

Then there is the mouthpiece that is cast and has a ring around it typical of Dowler.

Dowler whistle mouthpiece and cast ring detail typical of Dowler construction

Add to that the casting and the milling and a high-quality whistle is presented circa 1880s. But what sets it apart is still the top.

Dowler whistle dome-shaped top cap with knop for ring, rare on tubular whistles

Note the design around the edge, but more importantly the shape of the dome and the actual knop for the ring, something rarely seen on tube shaped whistles like civil and Police, Fire Brigade etc.

Now we can compare this to a similar round whistle top…

Comparison view: Dowler tubular whistle top next to a similar round whistle top profile

And here is a close-up of those tops.

Close-up comparison of Dowler tubular whistle top and round whistle top showing edge design and dome shape

An interesting comparison and another whistle to look for if not also others. Continually researching is added to the fund of knowledge by a quality whistle maker prior to 1900 in the UK.

The picture and notes in Collecting Police Whistles and Similar Types from Martin Gilchrist’s research once again prove indispensable.  

Conclusions

This whistle is not verified, but it strongly suggests by top cap, diameter, inside components and mouthpiece to be by William Dowler.

TWG

Posted August 26, 2013
Revised September 6, 2020
Revised October 11, 2020
Revised February 2, 12, 2021
Revised December 30, 2021
Revised June 12, 2022
Revised December 2, 2025
Revised July 13, 2026

Biblography:

© – 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.