Is this actually a whistle? The body looks like one, but I can’t work out the fipple design.
They’ve been trying to sell this thing for what seems like about 2 months(I regularly check eBay listings whether I have money or not). $300 is ALOT for an instrument of questionable integrity and playability. Maybe they’re doing what the coin guy said…saw one go for that kinda money and tried to cash in. They’ll spend $300 in listing fees before they sell that thing!
If you look closely at the bottom photo you can make out the windway. I don’t fully understand the rest of the fipple shape, but it sure does appear to be a whistle.
It could be another csakan or czakan, a recorder-whistle hybrid with keys. See my post here:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?p=677115&highlight=#677115
Invented in Hungary in 1807 and made in Central Europe through the 1930s, the bit about its rarity and museums is doubtful. And I’d guess the market value is nowhere near the asking bid. The fipple is unusual, but follows the Eastern European pastoral whistle pattern of the fipple on the underside.