Whistory
Although not well known for whistles, Argentina perhaps surprisingly, has indeed companies that either manufactured or distributed whistles, some unique to this country.
Argentine manufacturers are little known themselves worldwide to whistle collectors, significantly we see round whistles, ‘square-rounds’, Mauser bullets, multi-tool whistle gadgets (both original and faux), boatswain pipes, escargots and varietal whistles.
The Whistle Gallery website will continue to focus studies on metal whistles. In this SPOTLIGHT we will include some spurious whistles also, but only because quite a few innovative efforts were made and with a caveat emptor, they are part of our studies.
Countries that Marketed Argentina Whistles
What countries marketed whistles through Argentina? Foremost was Britain led by Joseph Hudson (ACME). This can be verified by the pivotal 1909 patent on fipples used on Mauser whistles and certain ‘square’ round whistles. The distinctive 3-point connection is defining. No ‘standard’ shaped non Mauser type round whistles with this patent are held in the Whistle Gallery reference collection at this time, but are expected to be found.
There is some confusion in identifying, other countries’ whistles, such as Germany who sometimes marketed British made whistles, or France who sometime marketed German made whistles.
Types of Whistles Manufactured in Argentina
Perhaps best known from Argentina are the many variations of Mauser bullet whistles used for police forces (see SPOTLIGHT number 72) and whistles marketed through Argentina by Carlos Rasetti from France.
Although decorative smaller whistles were produced as well as Boatswain pipes, the main market for whistles was aimed at various police forces.
The Uneedit combination corkscrew/whistle with gadget features, came in two model sizes and remains unknown as to the manufacturer and for how long they were made.
Reportedly 97% of Argentina’s population is composed of European descendants and at one time, the capital was called the Paris of South America.
Curiously Carlos Rasetti distributed whistles in Buenos Aires Argentina, and although he had a large outlet in Buenos Aires, he maintained a factory in France. We have at TWG, 3 catalogues (see SPOTLIGHT number 141) among such, three whistles are presented in the 1905 catalogue, two of which are patented in the USA pre 1900, the 1917 catalog repeats two, the 1927 catalog features a round whistle and for the first time a Mauser bullet whistle.
Mystery Whistles of Argentina
Curiously, no catalog advertises the unique police face whistle by Rasetti, nor a rounded mouthpiece-round whistle also distributed through the UK, Germany and France, but here stamped for Rasetti from France.
Yet another mystery is the Mauser bullet whistle featuring the 3 point fipple patent by ACME. This whistle model is not shown in the 1910 catalogue nor the 1935 comprehensive catalogue for Hudson, yet two examples are held here.
No beauforts/conicals are known as of this date of posting from Argentina. Multi tools marketed as Uneedit are only found in Argentina.
Lastly, Argentina produced some interesting corkscrew combinations as well as multi-tool kits. You will have to judge for yourselves as to genuine or faux whistles, but we have included them in this SPOTLIGHT.
Whistle Classification
| Categories | Mauser bullets rounds oval rounds square rounds tube shaped variety (art deco) multi-tool escargot boatswain pipes |
| Order | unknown , industria Argentina Carlos Rasetti (France) Hudson (ACME) Sonder (distributor, Germany) |
| Type | Police general use (multi-tool) |
| Class | nickel plated brass nickel silver brass |
| Sub class |
Whistle Archeology
Known stamps:
Policia
Winner Industria Argentina
Industria Argentina
Policia Federal
Policia Argentina made in England
policia Pcia De B Aires
Policia De La Capital
Carlos Rasetti Buenos-Aires
Rasetti Buenos Aires France
Rasetti Buenos Ayres
Policia De La Capital Republica Argentina
Reglamentera rio Winner Industria Argentian
Policia De La Capital Alemania
Mauser bullets:
H. Nicolas France – model 474 Mauser
Carlos Rasetti Mauser – model? year 1927
ACME model? circa 1909-1922
Martin Signal model 159 Patronenpfeife 1900
Winner Industria Argentina
Rounds:
ACME model 166? ( square round )
Carlos Rasetti model 124
Industria Argentina?
Argentina makers marks:
MTC inside a box
Winner
CM or MC
Three main eras emerged with police force stamps.
1580 to 1880 Policia de Buenos Aires — 1580 the founding of Buenos Aires.
1880 to 1943 Policia De La Capital – Federalization of Buenos Aires
1943 ( approximately ) to ?? – established Federal Polce Nov. 8, 1943
(1971 Buenos Aires City Police starts forming)
Whistology
The Police Face whistle by Carlos Rasetti from France (not in any catalog) distributed in Argentina (perhaps other south American countries locally).
A custom-made coin sided escargot — Republica Argentina Libertad
Multi tools (marketed as Uneedit) – the large and small have a different helix
Photo credit needed.
Carlos Rasetti stamped, but not in known catalogs.
Equivalent ACME model 180,182,183.
Seen in the H. Nicolas in group display page 23 catalogue, but not in single model diagrams.
Photo credit needed.
Acme circa 1920
Photo credit needed.
Unknown Maker
Photo credit needed.
Unknown Round, Nickel Silver
Photo credit needed.
Seen in the H. Nicolas catalog model 18
Photo credit needed.
Carlos Rasetti – not in catalogs.
Photo credit needed.
Winner manufacturer
Polychromy for hunting tournaments, 3.25 inches
Scarce tube shaped Policia, unknown maker
Brass is ACME model 166
Sonder model 3258
Signal model 1099
Catalogue o Instruments ( German )
Model 26 1910 catalog ACME pictured stamp Policia De La Capital – page 186
Model 163 1935 ACME catalog page 19?
Model 175 ½ 1935 ACME catalog page 19?
Signal model 1083
Sonder model 3256
H. Nicholas model 466 – 1927 page 18 catalogue
Small maiden, art deco 2”, 1 ¼ ‘, 1”
Mausers (see SPOTLIGHT number 72)
Note the fipple patent 553, 3 point connections
Policia PCIA De Buenos Aires
Policia De La Capital
Policia Federal
Winner Industria Argentina
A comparison of the variety of different makers
Picture courtesy Max Echarren from the Argentine naval museum.
* gift from President Roca to the boatswain of the corberta La Argentina, 1884.
From the Don Bull website articles some genuine and spurious corkscrew/wine whistles from Argentina
From the Don Bull website some genuine and spurious tool kits incorporating whistles.
Conclusions:
Like so many countries, there are ‘native’ whistles and imported whistles coming from Argentina, some manufactured, others crafted. A much wider selection is now recorded now as well as some unique to Argentina whistles, not only raising our awareness, but educating us further into the field of study.
We look forward to seeing many more models and identifying them in time.
TWG
First Printing September 19, 2023
Edited January 12, 2024
Posted March 11, 2024
Bibliography:
The Whistle Gallery Reference Collection
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentine_Federal_Police
http://www.bullworks.net/virtual.htm
