I bought this on eBay, just because it looked interesting and different to the whistles in my collection. It was advertised as a tin whistle, but my minimal knowledge brings me to thinking it may be a fife? I’d also appreciate any info on the manufacturer, as the seller didn’t know and the W logo hasn’t helped me much on Google searches!
Thanks
Not a whistle and probably not quite a fife either (supposing that fife’s have a wider bore). It’s a transverse flute. Does it play?
It does, but hard to say how well as I’ve never played flute before and a lot is probably just down to me.
I’ve added another photo for size comparison and it’s low D.
Assuming it’s in “D”, you would probably call it a piccolo as fifes are usually in Bb. I have a PVC one made by Jem Hammond from years ago - still plays great!
Funny, Roy Seaman (original maker of the McDonagh fife) had also made a pair of “piccolo fifes,” pitched in D.
They were to be worn with a tuxedo and kept in the cummerbund.
Very cool actually. Played nicely. I owned Roy’s for a time (McDonagh had the other) and it’s been sold for quite some time.
See it here:
https://ibb.co/NkY6Hy2
I think Skip Healy at one time said he had the other, but I’m not sure if that’s still the case.
anyhow…funny that it was called a piccolo AND a fife by the maker. fwiw.