Colonial pea whistle

[Kingrich]

Can anyone tell me about this little whistle? I’d really like to know how old it is and what it may have been used for? It was found by a friend of mine detecting in the woods in northern Maine. It’s pretty crude and made of pewter. There aren’t any makers marks that I can see. Thanks for any help!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Treasure of Victoria Peak - Grab it through Amazon!

[azdave]

This won't really help you date yours, but I found one at an encampment area that was a short distance from a toll road in NW AZ. It was built around 1865. Whitey really wasn't rolling into AZ territory until that time, so that kind of dates mine (at least as an "earliest" it could have been lost).
The one I have is virtually identical, but much better preserved..... gotta love the dry desert!

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

What you found looks looks like a Hawking or Falconry Whistle.
Here are some examples similar to the one you found.

Falconry/Hawking

Falconry is the hunting of wild animals in their natural state and habitat by means of a trained bird of prey. Historically, falconry was a popular sport and status symbol among the nobles of medieval Europe, the Middle East, and Mongolian Empire. Many historical illustrations left in Rashid al Din's "Compendium chronicles" book described falconry of the middle centuries with Mongol images. Falconry was largely restricted to the noble classes due to the prerequisite commitment of time, money, and space. In art and in other aspects of culture such as literature, falconry remained a status symbol long after it was no longer popularly practiced. The historical significance of falconry within lower social classes may be underrepresented in the archaeological record, due to a lack of surviving evidence, especially from nonliterate nomadic and non-agrarian societies. Within nomadic societies like the Bedouin, falconry was not practiced for recreation by noblemen. Instead, falcons were trapped and hunted on small game during the winter months in order to supplement a very limited diet.

In the UK and parts of Europe, falconry probably reached its zenith in the 17th century, but soon faded, particularly in the late 18th and 19th centuries, as firearms became the tool of choice for hunting (this likely took place throughout Europe and Asia in differing degrees). Falconry in the UK had a resurgence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during which time a number of falconry books were published. This revival led to the introduction of falconry in North America in the early 20th century. Col R. Luff Meredith is recognized as the father of North American falconry.

Throughout the 20th century, modern veterinary practices and the advent of radio telemetry (transmitters attached to free-flying birds) increased the average lifespan of falconry birds and allowed falconers to pursue quarry and styles of flight that had previously resulted in the loss of their hawk or falcon.

Dave

 

[Joe-Dirt]

Too cool, does it work?

 

[Kingrich]

Thanks guys! Yes it does work, there’s no rattler inside but it’s very loud and high pitched! Very cool!

 

[dts52]

It may have been used by an upland game hunter who had a bird dog. Whatever it was used for, it's a great find.
HH
dts

 

[BLK HOLE]

That is really neat!

 

[A2coins]

Great relic and great ID and info

 

[CRUSADER]

What you found looks looks like a Hawking or Falconry Whistle.
Here are some examples similar to the one you found.

Falconry/Hawking

Falconry is the hunting of wild animals in their natural state and habitat by means of a trained bird of prey. Historically, falconry was a popular sport and status symbol among the nobles of medieval Europe, the Middle East, and Mongolian Empire. Many historical illustrations left in Rashid al Din's "Compendium chronicles" book described falconry of the middle centuries with Mongol images. Falconry was largely restricted to the noble classes due to the prerequisite commitment of time, money, and space. In art and in other aspects of culture such as literature, falconry remained a status symbol long after it was no longer popularly practiced. The historical significance of falconry within lower social classes may be underrepresented in the archaeological record, due to a lack of surviving evidence, especially from nonliterate nomadic and non-agrarian societies. Within nomadic societies like the Bedouin, falconry was not practiced for recreation by noblemen. Instead, falcons were trapped and hunted on small game during the winter months in order to supplement a very limited diet.

In the UK and parts of Europe, falconry probably reached its zenith in the 17th century, but soon faded, particularly in the late 18th and 19th centuries, as firearms became the tool of choice for hunting (this likely took place throughout Europe and Asia in differing degrees). Falconry in the UK had a resurgence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during which time a number of falconry books were published. This revival led to the introduction of falconry in North America in the early 20th century. Col R. Luff Meredith is recognized as the father of North American falconry.

Throughout the 20th century, modern veterinary practices and the advent of radio telemetry (transmitters attached to free-flying birds) increased the average lifespan of falconry birds and allowed falconers to pursue quarry and styles of flight that had previously resulted in the loss of their hawk or falcon.

Dave

yeap probably a late 18th C example

 

[Kray Gelder]

A cool find! Congrats. Great ID guys.