Professional Whistle Manufacturers in England during the 19th Century, timeline. A. Strauss

Intro

Early British companies that produced whistles did not advertise their whistles, and, in fact, had many lines of other product categories. These whistles – known at that period as “Calls” – were a marginal category in terms of the company’s general revenue or “core” manufacturing line. Some changed their main line of products during the 19th century.
Today we learn about whistles from various sources, namely archival sources such as newspapers mentioning incidents of fire or theft. Other sources include books and other printed articles, some directories, censuses from 1841 onward, exhibitions, registered patents and designs, silver hallmarks or Lozegne marks, coins and buttons, museum archives, paintings, genealogy websites, church birth and death certificates, online forums on various topics, and – often times – from private collectors and whistle scholars.

To the best of our knowledge, the first British catalog to include whistles was published in 1870 by Yates and several foreign publishers advertising British-made whistles overseas. The next catalogs to include whistles were published in the 1880’s by J. Dixon & Sons, Shand Mason’s Fire Equipment Co., W.G. & J Hawksley, and advertisements by J. Hudson & Co. In the 1890’s and early 1900’s we see J.R Gaunt, Dixon, Ward, Walton, DeCourcy, B. Lilly & Sons, and J. Hudson & Co.

The four large English whistle makers of the mid-19th century (Early 1800’s to 1870’s) were located in three centers, Birmingham London & Sheffield and later in Glasgow as well, They were, as mentioned, mainly manufacturing other categories of products, with which they were commercially associated. Whistles were such a marginal category that they were never even included in their advertisements until 1870. These Four companies were:
Dixon & Sons –  (Est 1806 ) Arm & Hunting related products, Kitchen ware Silver ware and more. (Dixon became an empire and the family’s history is well documented, in books and articles.
Stevens & Sons – (Est. c 1805 )Railway related Products, in cluding lamps, scales Railway Signals and others.
Dowler & Sons – ( est. early & but whistles c 1850s ) Buttons, Medals, Military accoutrements, Phosphor Matches and many other Brass made instruments.
T.Yates Co.  (est. Earlier but whistles prob. since 1840’s 50’s) Kitchen Ware,  Spoons Forks and silver plated kitchen accessories.

The last quarter of the 19th century saw the rise of Joseph Hudson & Co.
(Acme Whistles)
, which was established in the 1870’s with Joseph’s brother James, and became, in the early 1880’s, the first company to manufacture and sell whistles as one of its core product categories. Gradually acquiring their competitors, as well as more tools and machinery, the company thrived and became the larger and dominant whistle maker of the late 19th and 20th century.

That said, we should note other outstanding makers in the category. These include:
Bent & Parker (Parker Joined Bent 1863), J. Linegar, Ward & Sons, John Lilly, and Charles Parker (Late Merry Parker & Merry). All were active by 1850’s, alongside many silversmiths, who should also be mentioned as whistle makers.

Makers of Professional* Whistles in England during the 19th Century: A Timeline**

The names below are shown in chronological order based on either the appearance of advertisements or actual whistles found. Some Gaunt[?], for example, appeared in earlier directories, but I cannot yet attribute a whistle to them (I may do so in the future as new evidence come to light). The names of the manufacturers are not repeated, therefore, the 1890’ list does not include already mentioned names. Moreover, the list does not include names known only from advertisement or directories. This does not include many makers who made professional whistles as well in silver, Jennens, Hilliard & Thomason, Samson Mordan, etc.
Underlined are important makers of large volume production.
Underlined are larger makers.

 

1800 – 1820
Dixon & Sons
Stevens & Son

1820s
Dixon & Sons
Stevens & Son

1830’s
Lilly John & William
Merry Phipson & Parker Late 1830s
Bent & Parker Bent since 1835 Parker Joined 1863

1840’s Victorian times
Parker C. ( Late Merry Parker & Merry )

1850s
Linegar
(check Linegar & Son appear Before 1835, no identified whistles from that period)
Ward
Yates
W. Dowler & Sons
B. Lilly & son

1860s
Coney & Co
B. Lilly & Sons

1870s
Hudson
Barrall
Westwood
Auld
Hawksley
Smith & wright

1880s
De Courcy
Black & Co
McDonald
J.R. Gaunt

1890s
Burley
Walton


All these makers were Located Mostly in Birmingham, Glasgow, Sheffield & London
*
Professional whistles (by function) is a general term I coined for whistles made mostly for use by various forces and officials in some public service or organization. These were made mostly of brass and Britannia metal, German silver, and – rarely – of ivory, bone, horn or silver. The list excludes potters making clay whistles, makers of scientific instruments, large steam whistles, wood turned whistles, etc. 
** Makers of which only one or two whistles are known where omitted.
There are probably 10.
So were few which the advertisements for their whistles appeared in directories.
Some very large silversmithing companies which made professional whistles in silver (mostly Boatswain’s pipes – Bosun calls whistles, and cased SNC whistles (single note conical) were omitted as well.

All rights reserved, Avner Strauss, 2017

 

John Westwood The first Glasgow Whistle Maker & Samuel Auld Whistles Breaking News ! A. Strauss

John. M. Westwood *  whistle maker  b.1856 – d. 1886
His family (James Westwood His Dad) seems to have come from New York with his other brothers, all in the brass foundry business (His brothers in the trade James, Robert, Alexander ) & a relative named Andrews who shows up later as  working with him).
John opened his own business in 1872 as Tinsmith and Gas Fitter at 73 Cumberland St. Calton, Glasgow .
                      Excerpt from 1973 Directory.Westwood made a whistle which later became the model identified with S. Auld whistles.
Continue reading John Westwood The first Glasgow Whistle Maker & Samuel Auld Whistles Breaking News ! A. Strauss

Three Call Tube Whistle Patent 20, 820 By Burleigh , Discovered,  app. 1900 Grunted 1901. A. Strauss

Breaking News !!! A Victorian Three Call Tube Whistle Patent 20, 820 By Burleigh , Discovered  app. 1900 Grunted 1901 .  A. Strauss
An Intricate desgin including 3 Tube whistles, three different shapes Mouth Pieces, a round one a triangular one and a flat rectangular one.
One of the three tube whistle is a TNT  (Two note tube whistle )
The 3 tubes have variations  and can fold see Illusrations number III & Num. IV. Certainly was an expensive one to make at he time. 

Breaking News ! A Large Reward for Antique Whistle Finder info at AvnerStrauss.com
Antique Whistle Patent, A Strauss THREE CALL TUBE WHISTLE PATENT. Burleigh,Clapham Common , LONDON. 1900

A Reward is expecting the person who find us one of the actual triple whistles !

All rights reserved . A. Strauss 2017

Charles Parker, A Birmingham Whistle Maker History and News about Dowler & Sons A.Strauss

Charles Parker B. 27 Februar 1800 – D. 1852 was a maker of professional whistles in the first half of the 19th Century in Birmingham. He was known as Charles Parker Junior and  the son of Charles Parker who was in the same business as Button Maker, Brass Founder and Military Ornament Maker.

His BOT receipt pre 1850 reads;
Bot of CHARLES PARKER
Late Merry Parker & Merry
Manufacturer of Naval and Military Ornaments
Gilt & Plated Buttons
INVENTOR of the IMPROVED LETTER CLIP 
AND RAILWAY WHISTLE.

The 3 next Short SNC –  short single note conical whistles were a Parker Design
The one on the right side is Parker’s work William Dowler( & Sons) Kept
making these up to later 1890s,


Continue reading Charles Parker, A Birmingham Whistle Maker History and News about Dowler & Sons A.Strauss

Black & Co. a 19th Century Glasgow Whistle Maker History & Whistles. A. Strauss

Black & Co. ( David Black ) 81 North Frederick St. Glasgow –  1885 (or 1883) to 1898 ,  Zin & Tin workers Packing-Case Makers  were pioneers of Snail type whistle making and may well have been the first to use the title ‘ Thunderer ‘ for a whistle.
Little was known about the company’s  History, a new whistle; the first one stamped with maker’s name found 2017 which proved to be a Key Whistle, triggered me to more research and findings .
Previously many whistles as these, none stamped whistles attributed to Black showed, All 5 piece London type snail ( Escargot ) whistles.
Here is the new one, fully stamped found.

A railway guard whistle stamped D. Black Maker Glasgow, And  C & OR for Callander & Oban Railway  (a small railway Co. ) on one side,  other side shows # 3
In Aug. 2018 a smaller variation 49mm with a stamp using different letter design and top (knop) surfaced on eBay It ended for about 400 USD.
We learn from the Paisley one, 4 pictures below that there is a much smaller model may be two smaller ones. As usual with these type the smaller ones are the rarer, so we know of only one model with that small size. 

Another variation, a 3rd known

D. Black Escargot


History
Black & Co., Ltd.
Address : 81 North Frederick St. Glasgow
 1886 Glasgow post office directory.
 Mrs. Black was manager of the Black & Co. Making cases,  By 1886 they were Continue reading Black & Co. a 19th Century Glasgow Whistle Maker History & Whistles. A. Strauss

American Penny Farthing High Wheel Bicycle Whistle

Antique 19th Century American Penny Farthing
Hi Wheel Bicycle Whistle
Antique Bicycle whistle  shaped as a pocket watch

The whistle is embossed with the image of a Hi wheel Penny Farthing Bicycle rider surrounded with a laurel wreath, and having two identical front and back sides.
It may had been made as a prize for the winner in some bike riding race competition,  made in the U.S.A c. 1870’s to early 80’s . It was found in New England and it the first and only one seen by the author so far.

The whistle has two notes ; F# and G# .  It has an interesting unique diaphragm and a smaller chamber at one side of the inside part to make the higher pitch.

Dimensions; 66mm by 45mm, by 10mm .

Article, Photos and content by Avner Strauss, all right reserved ,
no part of this webpage is to be used without the explicit permission of the owner.
Email : info@avnerstrauss.com All rights reserved 2017

The “Uneedit” Multitool whistle, Round pea Whistle , Extractor . corkscrew & cigar cutter , Victorian, England.

uedeet poses for cam whistle museumThe “Uneedit” Multitool , advertised in the Victorian catalogue,
Spratt’s Gamekeepper’s Sundries as : Continue reading The “Uneedit” Multitool whistle, Round pea Whistle , Extractor . corkscrew & cigar cutter , Victorian, England.

The First Two Notes Tube Whistle and The Invention of the Partition, The development of the Police Whistles. Stevens & Sons . By A. Strauss

The First Two Notes Tube Whistle (G.S.W) With Partition Discovered  Stevens & Son. By A. Strauss (Part B) Underconstruction

The article shows the development of the TNT whistle TNTW (Two note tube) known to most collectors as a General Service whistle (G.S.W) , the development stages and periods from the 1840s to 1870s and later.

To part A Stevens & Son History & More. 

Part C   
Dating Stevens Whistles Early and Round Whistles

Part D Stevens Bell Whistles and the Inventor

 
Stevens & Sons at Darlington Works,  1865 .

Preface
2016 was THE BEST  in many years ( for me )  in discovering fantastic ground breaking news about whistles , and information about Whistle Makers – Manufacturers,
Some really change all we knew and thought about whistle history , whistory.
While preparing long articles with serious news about unknown whistles and new historical facts , for this blog , I thought of sharing this , since I had some reasons to celebrate today so here is a taste of some of  the new findings about Stevens’s whistles and history.

The Invention of the partition or TUBULAR WHISTLE WITH A PARTITION
and two different lengtn chambers . belonging to Richard Porteous and made by J. Stevens & SonPrior to 1866 .

The FIRST KNOWN G.S.W – General Service Whistle , Or
T.N.T – Two Notes Tube Whistle or TNTW a term I prefer .
The Partition is a long rectangular metal sheet inserted within the tube of the whistle’s body; thus dividing the whistle into Two Chambers , then making  UNEVEN depth or length to each chamber by shortening the inside part of one chamber so it produces a higher pitch than the longer one .
This could be done by few drops of lead inside one of the chambers, or by making the inside part of the top uneven, or in later years by bending the partition 45 degrees at its end so it cuts one chamber shorter, so the whistle plays two notes of different frequency and pitch at the same time creating a dissonance which has a louder and more alarming sound than a single note.  Continue reading The First Two Notes Tube Whistle and The Invention of the Partition, The development of the Police Whistles. Stevens & Sons . By A. Strauss

Bakelite Snail Shaped – Escargots Whistle Types with a Stamped Metal or Aluminum Plate Insert Side & More.

Bakelite Escargots with Metal side plate a comparative study, U.S.A made and England . A Strauss (At work to be cont.)
Bakelite escargots with a stamped metal plate insert to one side.
A.Strauss , Copyright © 2009. ( Under Reconstruction )

Bakelite* escargots with metal plate inserts at the side are all Glasgow type escargots made in England and in the U.S.A ,
The side plate insert is applied to the right hand one side of the whistle
(And later on the left (N.S. Meyer N.Y shows on the left side as well).
‘Leftiees’ are post 1946
Acme Whistles – J. Hudson & Co. made these in 3 sizes, 
Smaller ones are rare (As is with most metal Escargots). 
Colors; Black, Brown, Orange, White, Green. (last three much rarer)

Used mainly by Sporting Goods & Arms companies as well as by British railway and Transportation companies, also by some police forces and colleges.

The big advantage of Bakelite made whistles was that in cold weather ( Sub zero) they would not get stuck to the lips or fingers as the metal ones. They were very sturdy when plastic was still of lesser strength than hard plastic types made later.

The metal inserts are of different designs which makes it possible to know where made.
The ones made in England are all made by J. Hudson & Co. , Acme Whistles Ltd. And are stamped Acmeoid. Made From 1926 to late 1940s , Production of Bakelite whistles by Acme whistles was stopped c 1986. (According to Mr. Simon Topmann).
The whistles are constructed of two parts plus pea, 
One piece mold and an additional circular flat drum side plate inserted to side with or without Aluminum plate. 

Hudson

*Stamped in 2 ways
1) Early stamps ;
Below window ” The Acme Thunderer” , and Hudson Monogram on the underside of the whistle “Beak” – mouthpiece.
2) later models ;
The Acme Thunderer made in England” and no monogram on the underside.
Note; All the whistles seen here are stamped the Acme Thunderer except for the USA & Mexican made ones.

* Metal plates of few kinds but the circular ones with four pins have the pins pointing at north , east, south and west, or 12 O’clock 3, 6 and 9.

* Colors; Hudson made these in Black Brown Orange & white The last two colors are rare.

* The D & M one & the older Iver Johnson have a longer beak , about 3 mm longer similar to USA made ones and are not as wide, a different mold was used for these and it is certainly the earlier one, might even be earlier than 1926.

Because of way made the cup and the material   the whistles deviate by 1 mm up to 2 mm in measurements in same models. ( To be cont.)
Dating : The “modern” post WWII 1946 are ‘lefties’  The Aluminum plate, insert is on the left side, The older ones always have the plate on the right side,
It may be that there are exceptions, but the autor had not seen one .

American

* Smooth, no stamps on Bakelite .

* Size; American made ones are not as wide, But Longer.

* Do not have a circle pattern sunk, on the side opposite to the metal plate insert.

* A wider and thinner tooth grip on the lower lip.

* Color; Black or Brown.

* Metal plates are all of the circular with 4 pins pattern, inserted in a way that the pins show the hours of roughly 11 O’clock 1, 5 and 7 O’clock.

* Some have “Made in the U.S.A” stamped on the metal plate, (See Goldsmith # 12).

** Foot note
Barrel end is 28.50 mm and accurate on the USA samples I inspected.
L; is 61mm and varies by less than a mm.

In general The U.S.A. made ones seem to be much harder to find,
and it seems that as of now the American Manufacturer  remains a Mystery.

The metal plate inserts are all Aluminum or nickel silver.

iver-johnson-boston-sEarly Hudson’s Oval shape metal plate insert L; 60.81mm W; 22.55 mm Barrel Diameter,; 28.50 mm
This oval plate is the only one noted by the author. seems to be a very early one  pre 1926.

 

a1Above, Iver Johnson Later made by Hudson, L; 57;72 mm W; 23.09 mm Barrel Diameter ; 27.63 mm
Continue reading Bakelite Snail Shaped – Escargots Whistle Types with a Stamped Metal or Aluminum Plate Insert Side & More.

J. Hudson & co. New Historical Research The 1870 First Address Found and the 1882 To 1885 The Unknown Police whistles , Asylums , Fire Brigades Prison and Parks whistles by J. Hudson & Co. A. Strauss

(At work ) The new information which surfaced on the web in the last two years brought MANY previously unknown facts dates and research options for whistle manufactures in Great Britain during the the 19th century, this new info changed the way many we see Dates, and miss-concepts which prevailed whistle research up to now. Newly discovered  info about whistles and manufacturers led me to work on a new and some updated articles about whistles and their makers.
Some of the observations and conclusions can be found hinted
in between the lines.
This article would deal with some news about the background and The
First address For J. Hudson previously unknown and mostly
Police whistles made by J. Hudson & Co. in 1882 – 1885 ,
Mostly the ones not made for the Metropolitan police (Already discussed in Depth in the “Collecting Police whistles and Similar Types” Book by Martyn Gilchrist and Simon Topman Pub. 1998 ) The Book is a must and highly recommended for anyone who wishes to study whistles ,
Published almost 20 years ago it was a great stepping stone and inspiration for collectors and students of these and the best so far .

While the previous article dealt with How to date J. Hudson whistles by Stamps and other means, Victorian and Post Victorian stamps and the next would try to deal with whistle manufactured 1870 – 1882. 
Joseph Hudson started working with metal at the age of Twelve that is 1860 ,
a dated metal ashtray stamped with his name and was found, since studying
whistle makers we now know that every Master studied – worked with a previous one since there were no schools for that it fits well that J .H. worked for Bent (since 1861 being 13 years old , Later Bent & Parker on 87 Newhall st. ( Parker Joined Bent in 1863 ) they were making military ornaments and whistles .
In 1870 the Young 22 years old Hudson moved to start his own workshop buying tools and having a home work shop, In Febuary 1871 he got married to Jane,  and was working as a military ornament maker at :
7 House, Court 3, Bell Barn Road in 1871.
In 1874 He had his younger brother James Joined him and together
they had a larger place at 17 Mark’s St Registered as Co.  Joseph and James Hudson Co.
In 1876 they  registered a corkscrew and whistle design .
( James Died in 1889 making some unique whistles which are recognizeable by his unique Mouthpiece )
As all other “whistle Makers” at the period whistles were a small part of business and a large array of products and they as othesr
relied financially on manufacturing many other Brass items .
It was so to such an extent that WHISTLE MAKERS advertisments
in previous years mentioned DOZENS of items but no whistles
albeit they were the largest manufacturers of whistles , (1830’s – 1870’s ).

First address known for J. Hudson 7 House, Court 3, Bell Barn Road. Barn
1870 – 1874

bell-barn-rd-birmingham-c-1870s

So we have Hudson at Two addresses in the Early Years:
1870 – 1874 :  7 House, Court 3 Bell Barn Road
1874 – 1881  :  17 St. Mark’s St. cottages 
Continue reading J. Hudson & co. New Historical Research The 1870 First Address Found and the 1882 To 1885 The Unknown Police whistles , Asylums , Fire Brigades Prison and Parks whistles by J. Hudson & Co. A. Strauss