Report: Barnett Samuel "B" whistle ...

Whistle
1

Well, it arrived today from England.

In a (GASP) padded envelope.

Made between 1861 and 1872 by (or more likely, for) Barnett Samuel (later Barnett Samuel and Son and then Decca), this whistle wasn’t playable at all when it arrived. From the amount of cobwebs and dust on the inside and the degree to which the soundblade and windway were mashed, I would be surprised if this whistle had been played in at least 75 years.

However, after a thorough cleanup, it only took a little encouragement to get it to speak, and I must say, that first note was a thrill. This is a quiet whistle, with a wonderfully sweet voicing. It’s marked “B,” but it plays about halfway between B and Bb. It is in tune with itself and plays a perfect OXXXXO “Cnat” that’s not fuzzy at all.

(The bright line at the soundblade edge, BTW, is where I scraped the edge to sharpen it and strengthen the upper register. In time, the brass there will darken and blend with the rest of the patina.)

Anyway, it’s a very interesting, lovely whistle. (And sorry, I’m not set up to record a clip.)

Best wishes,
Jerry


2

I have a very similarly styles whistle,bearing the legend ‘The Best All British’ advertised on E-Bay last year as a ‘B’ whistle,but again pitched between ‘B’ and ‘Bb’.
The whistle has a very pleasant,though quiet ‘trad.’ sound.

3

Thanks,interesting info. :slight_smile:

BTW,I still dont know when the first ‘Generation’ made whistle was born.