This Fine Relic Was Stolen!   Antique Bosun's Pipe or  Call China Export Trade 19th Century

Presented is an exotic Bosun's "call" or "pipe" which is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a Boatswain's whistle by landlubbers. The 19th Century calls are larger in size than those of the 20th Century. Until now, we've only seen two other examples of China Export pipes. One we had the pleasure of selling in in 2011 and the other was from the J. Wells Henderson Collection and set a world record price of $5148 at auction in 2008. Both were unmarked, had an artfully worked dragon on both sides, and presumably they were made of silver. This one is silver plate.

 

Our new example was recently discovered and differs by having the dragon mounted along the length of the pipe with the head and body's tail wrapping around the tube which is called the "gun" to the mouth piece. It is exactly the same length as the one we sold, and the bowl or buoy are both. 7/8" in diameter. It weighs 1 1/8 oz or 3/8 oz more.

 

MARKINGS: What is more interesting is that it is engrave with the name "Maggie" on the obverse and has a hallmark "HWK" followed by three Chinese characters stamped by a single slug on the reverse. We offer that Maggie was the wife or loved one of the pipe's owner.

SIZE: 5 1/2" L x 3/4" W, The buoy or bowl 7/8" Dia        Weight 1 1/8 oz

IN LITERATURE: See "Marine Arts & Antiques, Jack Tar, A Sailor's Life, 1750-1910" by J. Wells Henderson and Rodney P. Carlisle, Published by Antiques Collectors Club, Ltd, England, 1999, page 48

AUCTION RECORD: In August, 2008, a New England auction house sold the Henderson pipe for $5148.00  including the buyer's premium. It was described as Chinese Export Silver Bosun's Whistle, Nineteenth Century: The ball chamber chased and engraved on each side, with dragon's head applied and streams of flame continuing down each side, the body marked sterling. Length 5 5/8". Literature: Jack Tar, p. 48" 

 

COMPARISON; THIS PIPE TO THE 2011 SALE. The length of this relic which likely dates back to the late 1800's is 5 1/2" which is the same as the one sold last year. Its width at the widest point is 7/8" and as is the bowl and both are also the same. The major difference is in the weight where this one is 3/8 ounce heavier than the last one. There also is considerable difference in position of the dragon where this one rides on the pipe's "gun" and the other one was mounted on the "keel".

BOATSWAIN'S CALL OR PIPE:

  (Redirected from Bosun's whistle)

 

A boatswain's call is a pipe used on naval ships by a boatswain. It is also spelled "bosun's call". It is never called a "whistle" except by landlubbers (added).

The pipe consists of a narrow tube (the gun) which directs air over a metal sphere (the buoy) with a hole in the top. The player opens and closes the hand over the hole to change the pitch. The rest of the pipe consists of a keel, a flat piece of metal beneath the gun that holds the call together, and the shackle, a keyring that connects a long silver or brass chain that sits around the collar, when in ceremonial uniform.

HISTORY AND USAGE: Boatswains calls can be traced as far back as 1248, when Greece and Rome used galley slaves. However in 1671 it officially became known as the boatswains call and found a place in the English and American Navies as a means of passing orders, making it an honored badge of rank. Because of its high pitch, it could be heard over the sounds of the sea, work of the crew and stormy weather. It is now used in traditional bugle calls such as Evening Colors/Sunset, and in other ceremonies in most modern navies. It is sometimes accompanied by other auditive features such as ruffles and flourishes, voice commands and announcements, or even a gun salute.

FLAT RATE SHIPPING within the 48 contiguous States $35.00. 

OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges are included in this offer within the continetal United States if the error is due to our fault.

International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.

ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. No credit cards or PayPal accepted on this item.

This relic is of exceptional quality and rarity and belongs in a collection of only the finest. It represents a large savings over the Henderson pipe, but still requires someone of substance to appreciate it.

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