I mentioned my Col.Wmsbrg. Tin Whistle in my first post on here and that got me wondering who actually makes them. Does anyone know? You can see the same whistle I have and the songbook that came with it by going to http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/history/teaching/enewsletter/volume5/october06/cwresources.cfm. It’s a plain-jane unpainted D with a wooden block in the mouthpiece and a subtle conical shape. There’s a seam down the back-side where the single piece of metal is joined.
thanks
Not sure, but often Cooperman provides historic sites with whistles like this.
I.D.10-t, Thanks for the input. I followed your link and the whistle pictured on that site sure looks like mine and after reading the write up about the Cooperman whistles on the Chiff & Fipple ‘inexpensive whistles’ page I’m almost certain that mine is a Cooperman. It’s very breathy and quiet, requires quite a bit of umph to get volume out of it. It does have a nice tone but the thing I don’t like about it is that I get so winded after playing it for a few minutes. I can see that it would be a better practice choice when my wife is not in the mood for my tootling.
Ah, a duplicate answer in your other thread. 
If you like that type of whistle, the Clarke original and Shaw are of the same rolled tinplate design, going back at least to the 1840s. And much more playable. Many people like their unique tone, but they’re less commonly used in Irish trad than the Generation / Feadóg type. And yes, it’s always good to have a quieter practice whistle …
Boy do I absolutely hate going to places like that on vacation. My idea of a vacation is camping with a canoe and an innertube to a mountain lake or river and not seeing anyone else for a week. I pity the poor people who ask me if I want to go to Williamsburg. First thing I am going to do is find that whistle and fife store and enjoy the day. My in-laws like going to places like that. Mwa-ha-ha.
Agreed, Mutepoint! Give me a spot on a mountainside and a Clarke original in my pack, and that’s all I want! My wife wants to go to Williamsburg, God bless her. But if we went, we couldn’t afford anything in those fancy shops we’d be looking through all day. Meanwhile, I have relation in Denver, Colorado and the Arapahoe National Forest almost on their doorstep. Hmmmm, how to decide…
I grew up in Richmond, Va and my folks live a few minutes outside of Williamsburg so sometimes when we visit we stroll around the historic area. There are certain times of year when it’s best to avoid that place- that’s for sure, but when the crowds are gone it’s nice to explore. I enjoy getting away from the world on vacation as well, but I was a History minor in College and I’ve always gotten a kick out of going to places like Williamsburg.
I think I’m going to get a Clarke because I do like the sound of my Williamsburg special - it’s just too breathy.
Clarkes are breathy too, but if you press down at the front of the windway (the back of the square voicing window) you can bend the tin down a bit and sharpen the tone, making the whistle darned near perfect in my opinion. If you go too far, use a thin screwdriver to lift it up a hair.
I have/had that exact book from my 1988 visit to Williamsburg and while I wouldn’t imagine the whistle pictured there is the one I purchased back in 88, it looks pretty close. I was under the impression it may have been made on the premises, as it was pretty rough. I bought the whistle and book, thinking I might learn to play. I got home and threw it in a drawer. Oh well, what does a sixteen year old know about a little practice?
Years later, I took it out and enjoyed fooling around with it . . . but it did sound terrible and I replaced it as soon as I could.