Whistle Categories > Round Whistles
Where did round whistles originate?
The machining of solid rod and insertion of a wooden or horn fipple appears in the early 1800s in the UK. Although appearing later in Germany, France China, the States, Argentina and such, they primarily came from and proliferated the UK.
In fact, before 1900 it is difficult to find heavy round whistles outside the UK only a few coming from Germany.
The greatest abundance of round whistles emanates from the UK. Many types of small rounds were made by silversmiths with hallmarks, but without hallmarks are impossible to identify the country of origin.
How are round whistles identified?
These round whistles are so name because they are round, wit usually a single window towards the bottom facing forward when the whistle is hanging. The whistle may be one single piece or made with two pieces, unscrewing at the top cap.
Identification of round whistles takes study, not to tell if they are round whistles, but the manufacturer and background. Stamps can be used on some whistles that are marked to lead to identifying others unmarked.
Catalogs with model numbers also help as well as patent papers with picture drawings.
Then there are the stamps on the whistles themselves, even the lettering may reveal much. A careful consideration of the interior may give clues as to the makerTypically solid rod is drilled out and then a slanted fipple follows into the mouthpiece. Later round tube stock would make up the body. Only one window is used, however it can be split into two sections. Studying these manufacturing techniques can identify a certain maker.
Why were they made?
The use of round whistles crosses many uses. Police issues were very early on whether marked or not.
Railways utilized round whistles and button whistles were used initially. Eventually rounds were used for advertising shops that made other items. It was after this that they moved into sports, hunting and other expanded their uses.
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