Spotlight > By Whistle Category > Combination Whistle Articles > 137 Brookes and Crookes Extractor Patent
Whistory
A lesser-known whistle maker in Sheffield is the partnership of John Brookes and Thomas Crookes, since 1858 makers of cutlery. Unfortunately, Thomas Crookes dies just 7 years later.
As a cutlery company the manufacture of whistles was unusual, and they did not manufacture but two. However, the patents of these two were significant and although dubious perhaps other whistles will surface.
Sheffield produced not only several other quality whistle makers ( Hawksley, Dixon, Bartrum, Mappin and Webb ) but also dominated the cutlery world during this period and invariably the tradition of quality made products.
Filing Patents, Including the Extractor Gadget
One patent was for a double helix corkscrew, followed by a folding apple corer combination. It was made from high quality material and has sold at todays prices on auction gone for over $1,000.00 USD.
In time was another patent designated for a graduated extractor gadget that Brookes and Crookes manufactured for the patentee, later incorporating a folding horn whistle. A special graduating extractor was marketed for Spratt’s, a targeted high-end market of the day.
In both instances it appears to be ‘after the fact’ patents, as the patented product had already been manufactured without whistles. But none the less they are being recorded here in this SPOTLIGHT.
Whistle Classification
| Category | gadget/corkscrew gadget/extractor |
| Order | Brookes and Crookes – manufacturer James Wilson – patentee corkscrew Wesby & Levick – patentee graduating extractor |
| Type | wine hunting |
| Class | brass, steel steel, horn |
| Subclass |
Whistology
Timeline with principles in bold
John Brookes 1825-1865
1851 launches his own business
1854 Mulberry Street
Thomas Crookes 1826 to 1912
partnership starts at 58 St Philips Road, factory to follow.
1858 established Atlantic Works 58 St. Philips Road.
1859 appears in Melville’s directory Sheffield ‘manufacturers of spring knives and dressing case instruments’
1861 employs 50 employees
1871 employs 108 employees, William Westby becomes manager/partner ( Joseph Westby apprentices at Brookes and Crookes, later Joseph Westby & Co Ltd. )
1877 patented double helix corkscrew James Wilson # 898 March 3rd S. Patent with bell trademark
1881 employs 130 employees.
1889 ? Joseph Westby partners w/Charles Swift Levick – Congo Works Pinfold St/Trippet Lane
1891 William Wesby retires, dies same year
1892 Patented graduating extractor Joseph Westby & Charles Swift Levick, Sheffield electroplating manufacturers – contracted Brooke and Crookes to make it and their stamp appears on it. Also, marketed by Thornhill ( new sporting knife )
1894 Congo works ends. Becomes Joseph Westby & Co. Ltd
1896 Joseph Westby & Co Ltd becomes insolvent.
1892-1898 Williams and Brooke Sheffield electroplated silver marks
1909 Thomas Crookes retires
1912 Thomas Crookes dies
1924 registered design corkscrew knife 709835
1957 closes shop
Atlantic Works, upper Hanover Street
Whistology
The corkscrew double helix was patented in 1877 by James Wilson # 898 March 3rd
The double helix apple corer whistle follows this patent pattern.
( All corkscrew pictures are from Etsy, eBay or privately posted – credits needed )
The 1892 Patented graduating extractor Joseph Westby & Charles Swift Levick, Sheffield electroplating manufacturers. Silver marks for Westby were registered in 1893 and 1894.
Clearly stamped with the Crookes and Brooks bell.
Patent: Graduating Cartridge Extractor Edge
The specific patent refers to a button hook with a shaped end, as it pivots within a pocket tool/shooting knife it ( the button hook base ) creates a graduating cartridge extractor edge.
The same extractor but with an incorporated horn folding whistle.
The horn material whistle appears to have had an insert, perhaps an ivory plate.
Clearly seeing the stamp matching the patent as well as the Crookes and Brookes Bell. Note how the button hook mechanism creates a graduating extractor.
Conclusions
Although briefly entering the field of whistles, both examples are of high quality. The patent stamps and information tied to the patentee, makes identification sure for these whistles.
The corkscrew whistle may well have appealed to the Sheffield market. The extractor may have been marketed for the high-end hunting crowd.
TWG
Drafted November 3, 2022
Posted December 5, 2022
Bibliography:
https://hawleysheffieldknives.com/index.php?val=wE&kel=1640
https://www.corkscrewappraisals.com/research_articles/spratt_multi_tool_corkscrews
https://sha.org/wp-content/uploads/files/sha/Parks%20Canada/pc_english_18.pdf
http://www.bullworks.net/daily/20070121.htm
Silver mark 1900 – Atlantic Works St. Phillips Road , Sheffield Works https://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Makers/Birmingham-BA-BA.html
British Architect Vol 6 – https://books.google.com/books?id=1a0QAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA306&lpg=PA306&dq=brookes+and+crookes+sheffield+whistle&source=bl&ots=g9JQXpEIoi&sig=ACfU3U3tjs1FwNqQiTRCnvZaJ9IbBCCmBQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwisg9PHzoP7AhUfHjQIHbgbD1YQ6AF6BAgzEAM#v=onepage&q=brookes%20and%20crookes%20sheffield%20whistle&f=false
https://sha.org/assets/documents/Trademarks%20on%20Base-Metal%20Tableware.pdf
https://www.corkscrewappraisals.com/research_articles/british_corkscrew_makers#BrookesCrookes
Extractor article https://finesportingcollectablesltd.co.uk/blog/
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