Antique (?) Homemade whistle

Whistle
1

You just never know what will turn up…

Seeing as how the insurance company condemned our oil barrel this year, we decided to relocate it as well as replace it.

In preparing the corner of land by the foundation of the house, what should turn up under who knows how many inches of soil but an old 303 (gun) shell carved and tweaked to make a mouthpiece of a whistle!!! There was a rotten piece of wood attached but it was in such poor condition there was no saving it.

I am guessing that my husband’s grandfather probably made this whistle as he was handy at everything and loved experimenting. (and he grew up in this house too!)

Not worth much money-wise but definitely being put in my keep box!

Deb

2

Very cool! Might be interesting to attach it to a new tube and see if it will play. Did you try blowing on it?

Redwolf

3

It may also have been just a simple whistle in itself, not the headpiece of an instrument.

Nothing salves a weary soul like a cheap whistle.

[ This Message was edited by: Chuck_Clark on 2002-07-30 18:10 ]

4

I assumed that, if there was a rotten piece of wood hanging from it, that wood was what was left of the tube.

Redwolf

5

Fascinating story!-Have you any idea how old it is?,and yes, tell us,did you try it?.A gun shell into a whistle head is a neat twist on ‘swords into plough-shares’ don’t you think?!