What a beautiful piece, over 200yrs old, can't imagine the places and scenes this has been in, the calls it has made, the life of the man who had this in his pocket, in service of the Royal Navy;

A rare piece, in rare condition. A solid silver Bosun's Whistle, or Bosun's Call - they have various names around the world. 

This would have been a cherished piece - these were harsh, severe times by our modern standards - many seamen stayed on their vessels for years without stepping on land (often not out of choice), poverty, starvation, disease was rife. To own such a valuable item as this was a statement. It represented stature, importance, connected to the elite, who served on the cream of ships of the royal Navy.  

This one was assayed in Birmingham 1813,

the Napoleonic wars were still raging, the Opium Wars had yet to start, the Battle of Navarino (during Greek war of independence) was yet to come, as was the bombardment of Algiers, battles involving the British Navy under sail, still grieving the loss of the greatest Admiral of them all, Lord Nelson.

And a year after America declared war on Great Britain, and the battles that ensued there for the Old North West, while James Madison was President. This whistle may have called men to arms at any or all of these battles.

It's a real piece of history in the hand - and yes, it still calls - good hallmarks on the keel, a vacant cartouche to the reverse.

The fouled anchor symbol of the Royal Navy on the bowl.

Double ribs along the pipe.

They were brutal times and it's worth reading about the lives of the young men who made calls on this very whistle, what was expected of them, and the consequences of failure.

Great piece.

Thank you