There is a fife on ebay with this wierd extention on the emb. hole???
It does say “limited”…
You see them from time to time, and they’re even still made. I dunno why, but I’ve wondered if it doesn’t solve that troubling “fluting in a strong cross breeze” problem.
That’s probably it. When you are in a marching band it would be handy. I bet they could have used them at the Rose Parade!
I’d heard this things were created so old toothless flute players, and new players, could play the flute…maybe a Chiff based urban legend?
Eric
Will you make one for me, edged with leaf scroll silver? 
And I thought that Canada had no contribution to the flute tradition!
Maybe they became toothless when they tripped! 
I don’t know Jon,
but I’ve got to say that this is the coolest title for a post I’ve ever seen…
You never know what you’ll learn.
The ones I’ve seen are brass, about the same size as a C whistle but with a transverse arrangement. These have a clear plastic airway similar to the above. They were being sold new in a music store in Montreal when I briefly pondered buying one.
I think it was in C, an octave above a boehm flute.
~~
However, that’s not what I came here to tell you. When I tried googling for an image, here’s what I learned:
Brass Flute is Cockney Rhyming Slang for Prostitute
cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk: London Cockney rabbit with this interactive dictionary of London rhyming slang.
www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/ > cockney/loan/1917/Brass-Flute.aspx - 15k - Cached - Similar pages
They were common during and just after the Civil War. Many fifers were young boys and were having problems developing the embouchure quickly enough. Thus, the attachment. And, yes, easier to play while marching. As has been said, some are still being made but no self respecting fifer uses them anymore. At least in the US.
BillG
I wonder if the little amplifier helps in projecting the sound forward, like a trumpet. I could see how this would be useful for marching.
And, as an FYI (I’m surprised no one has yet furbished this) that device is actually called a cheater, for I think, obvious reasons.
Wow those marching types must be a bunch of ruffians. cheaters … lyres…someone had to say it.
I’ve heard them called “cheaters”.
Whaley Royce…
they made some bugles back in the gold age of drum and bugles corps. Most of them God Awful.
I think it’s a mouthpiece . . . you blow through the thing.
Isn’t it?
Wow! Nice construction. Now even babies can play on teh flute .
Hmm, wonder why this thing reminds me of my old babycup 
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Greetings,
Lotta
What a cute outfit! I like it!
But, what is that baby drinking? It’s brown.
Um, perhaps…
Hmmm, yes.
Sounds like a breathing aid for asthmatic whales, ay?
Hah! Think I found the inventor of this thing. Could only be this guy
I mean, only a robot could get such weird ideas 
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http://www.takanishi.mech.waseda.ac.jp/research/flute/