Late Victorian Metropolitan Police Whistle by J. Hudson and Co. with Original Chain belonging to Officer 05993

A Victorian era Metropolitan Police tube-form whistle, manufactured by J. Hudson and Co. of Birmingham. This example is constructed from nickel-plated brass and is complete with its original period steel or white metal link chain and large attachment hook. The central diaphragm is present and the whistle appears functional.

The barrel of the whistle features several stamped inscriptions:

METROPOLITAN

PATENT

METROPOLITAN

POLICE

J. HUDSON & Co.

244 BARR STREET

BIRMINGHAM

A specific identification number, 5993, is stamped onto the central diaphragm band, which typically denotes an individual officer’s collar or warrant number. The inclusion of the 13 Barr Street address indicates a manufacture date after 1888 when the company relocated to that site. This pattern of whistle was famously developed by Joseph Hudson to replace police hand rattles and was later widely utilised by British military officers during the First World War.