Whistory
Originally Smith and Kemp, they reputedly started in the 1840s, but one source states that John Skirrow Wright started there in 1838. Nevertheless, by 1850 he had become a partner, John Kemp leaving in February 25th, 1861, and they becoming Smith and Wright, later absorbed by Firmin & Sons in the 20th century. Wright would eventually become sole proprietor.
This left for our purposes Smith and Wright who for a period made whistles which have had little attention and have remained obscure. These whistles are known from a series of beaufort or conical shaped small lightweight whistles.
Smith and Wright Were Not Known for Whistles
The company is another of the many Birmingham companies of the day, but in this case, whistles were an apparent afterthought. Mostly known as a button and ornament manufacturer, their whistles certainly reflect that in construction. The materials used, the construction methods as well as the patterns are all reflected in the overall product.
“Toy” Whistles of Smith and Wright
One registered design of a small handgun or firearm is attributed to them by Gilchrist in Whistles, but research has not verified the claim to such.
A conical heavier nickel silver stamped whistle made by Dowler exists, but it is a distributer whistle, not made by Smith and Wright.
The uses of the wording of ornament or ‘toy’ manufacturer comes up once again regarding ornaments and not the modern way of looking at these whistles as children’s play toys. They fill an important albeit less than significant group of whistles to research as a piece of the puzzle in whistle history.
The Founding Members of Smith and Wright
John Kemp was a founding member, but it is John Skirrow Wright who became the major player with George Smith having a lesser role in the company’s history. John Skirrow Wright went on to become a renowned statesman in his own right.
So far 4 known patterns are found, hopefully more surfacing over time.
Whistle Classification
| Category | Beaufort/conical Varietal |
| Order | Smith and Wright Dowler |
| Type | ornamental GSW |
| Class | brass nickel silver |
| Subclass |
Whistle Archeology
John Skirrow Wright – 2 February 1822 – 15 April 1880
1838 age 16 years old starts at Smith and Kemp Button manufactory.
1850 becomes partner
1861 Kemp leaves, now Smith and Wright
?? becomes sole proprietor
George Smith
Recorded addresses are sketchy
1946 — 176,178,180 Brearley St, Birmingham ( unreliable )
1864 — 165 Brearley Street West ?
1877 —
1882 — 62 Aldermanbury, EC, London
1884 — 62a Aldermanbury, EC, London
1885 — 176,178,180 Brearley St, Birmingham
1887 — 180 Brearley St. Birmingham
1888 — 180 Brearley St. Birmingham
Rd 285956/1896 pistol whistle
Rd 204145/1866 Cricketers Belt Clasp
Rd 311311/1877 Ladies’ dress suspender
Photo courtesy of Tackagain
Whistology
These are the four major patterns, there is some variance in the top caps.
For reference purposes:
SW – 1 large filigree
SW – 2 long neck
SW – 3 plain
SW – 4 small filigree
SW – 5 medium filligree
SW – 1 through 4 top caps
The following ‘toy’ gun design is registered RD, but research did not match the RD to this whistle ast stated by Gilchrist in Whistles.
The following is by Dowler, who also made button whistles, perhaps supplied by Smith and Wright?
Conclusions:
One wonders what to what extent Smith and Wright’s involvement were in supplying and working with makers of button whistles of the day, making them to size or just supplying general use buttons for a manufacturer ? Whether Dowler or other less known makers made them ?
Did Smith and Wright possibly make button whistles? None the less for a period Smith and Wright did dabble with whistles, albeit lesser quality, a niche.
TWG
First Printing February 14, 2023
Posted July 9, 2023
Bibliography:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Skirrow_Wright
https://dams.birminghammuseums.org.uk/asset-bank/action/viewAsset?id=14499&index=49&total=570&view=viewSearchItem
https://theironroom.wordpress.com/tag/milton/
https://www.austbuttonhistory.com/its-un-australian/the-wide-world-of-manufacturers/#Smith_Kemp_Wright
https://stuarteagles.co.uk/14-the-first-general-meetiing-of-the-guild/
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