Whistles and duck calls? Help, please!

Ok, I've gone thru about 50 types of whistles, the majority were wooden duck whistles...

Then assorted ceramics, some of which I learned were "water whistles" - never heard of them.

Hoping someone out there can help me out these last 6 or 8? Anything you can add would be helpful... I'll just write what I know (or think):

Green doesn't seem old, but where from?
The nester I believe is old - Rockingham glaze?
Canary? Japan? sweet
Soldier hand marked Made in Italy, I found a comp, of much better quality faience


Wood box with tin mouth piece - No idea - it strikes me as German, but has US patent 1907
Tin or pewter, wood and leather - No idea

Lighter one is listed a number of ways: asking over $100 - as old as 1770 Revolutionary War, with book reference, http://www.zacharymillerantiques.com/revolutionary-war-horn-whistle/ and antique police whistle. http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/amazing-antique-carved-horn-police-154695046
But none sold for more than $32

The darker whistle: I only find one (with a slider) similar listed as Civil War Era stag horn whistle? sold for $27 - it has a remnant of a chain and ring to attach it on metal band.

Thanks for lookin'

 

Cool but no clue.

 

Lol
Damn mystery whistles
Grrr

 

Duck whistles could be good. These are mostly dime store novelties from the 30s and 50s. Children's toys.

 

Here is a link to the Whistle Museum if it helps.

http://www.whistlemuseum.com/

 

I can help with the ceramic ones. Green bird is contemporary, from China. Yellow one is also contemporary, from Japan. Both of minimal value, $5 or under.

White bird on nest is antique English Staffordshire, was made in many slight variations over a period of years, $50-100 or more, depending on condition. Italian figural, probably the most desirable of the lot. Values, of course, depend on if they actually whistle. That will be essential to collectors. If they don't work, they're not considered whistles anymore, even if they once were.

 

Thanks so much!

I agree Skeezixs - For some reason, I'm reading that "E Mel" as German, but couldn't square that with a US Patent. I was wondering if it might be a tuning device?
SIS, I looked at the museum last night, it's pretty much boatswain whistle collector info.
Taupou: I did see a few of the Staffordshire pieces described as Rockingham. I just needed some confirmation I was on the right track. I think it is a water whistle.
(How do you know which are water whistles?)
The Italian piece is much cruder than the comp I found, so I just assumed it was newer and not especially valuable. They're asking about $200 OBO, but found none sold...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/novelty-whistle-ceramiche-tasca-nove-Italian-tin-glazed-/141660776863

 

I doubt the wooden ones are water. They may be but I 'wooden't' try it unless sure. Just put a little water in the others if you are confident about it and they would either work or not. Then drain them well.

 

I had a wooden whistle
but it wooden whistle
Then I got a tin whistle
now I tin whistle

I think water whistles are ceramic...

 

And varieties of plastic.

 

Right-O

 

I didn't read everything, or check the museum site that SIS provided.

The last picture the white bone or horn, may be 1880s-early1900s whistle. What they called a "Police Call"

I'm sure it is pictured in a book I have somewhere on Old West memorabilia.

 

Hi - CC
That's the one that was referenced as Revolutionary War (!) 1770-1780

Superb turned horn whistle. Wood mouthpiece held in place with a pair of round headed steel tacks. Outstanding old untouched surface. According to Neumann and Kravic’s, Collectors Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution, “Whistles were apparently a common means of signaling and giving commands” A similarly turned example is pictured on page 272 (image “9″). Whistles of this period are rarely found. Still sounds great. - Asking $120

Really different results on that one, but that's the only one that gave a date... one other called it a police whistle - sold for $32

 

I thought you said the darker horn was the Civil War era, not the light color one.
Did I misread yet again?

Des Moines Police Department Museum

 

The lighter one has the same shape, material, wood mouthpiece, small nails, and hanger as the link... That's what they're comparing it to, anyway. I don't have the book, unfortunately.

I'm mad at myself bc I did see on like the bottom black (ebony) one with the bone slide (more similar than the all bone one). It's difficult (from other descriptions) to distinguish which are really duck whistles or possibly signals or police, etc. Many dissimilar shapes were called "pintails," it's hard to tell if people are just wishing they were duck whistles - on top of that, don't sound like ducks at all - you have to learn how to use them properly.

It made me wonder: what's the diff between duck whistle and duck call? I think bird calls have some kind of vibrating reed, which none of these have. They all have cork balls...

 

They all have cork balls...

Skeez....this one's all yours !!

 

(Cork Balls)

Just wondering how long and who? Ruby Slippers WINS! haha

Why can't clowns have kids?