Spotlight > Whistle Categories > Multi-Chamber > 102
WHISTORY
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WHISTOLOGY
At 6 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide is presented a heavy hand made angle whistle of brass. It has some engaging and surprising characteristics. Consider its weight for instance. The average angles mouthpiece whistle is 19 grams, light weight thin wall construction. Whereas the ‘jumbo’ whistle is 170 grams and heavy walled solid construction.
Side by side it looks overwhelming, yet likely used for entirely different purposes. For example, light weight angled whistles were marketed by BGI which was a hunting and arms company that also tried to tap into the cycling sales of the day. Later the same whistle was marketed as the Universal for doormen’s taxi calls, hockey umpires sporting calls and sought variety for increase sales.
In this case this is a cumbersome whistle and built for use and abuse. Possibly it was made as a sound effects (drummer’s trap?) railway or train whistle. There is no ring to attach to which would be needed for a conductor. The sound is deep and hollow and is tuned very well much like the Wahlberg and Auld locomotive sound effects whistles turn of the last century.
Dating it is difficult, but circa 1900-1910 is likely.
The mouthpiece is very heavy and large to match the three pipes of thick brass. The welding is brass and overly thick.
Underneath is very unusual reinforcement bracing. Two pieces welded in carefully.
Hope you enjoyed a close look from the Whistle Gallery reference collection.
TWG
Posted July 5, 2019
