J Barrall

J Barrall (John Barrall) was a British, Birmingham-based whistle maker, ACTIVE from 1886 to 1898.

Little is known AbOUT him and new whistles made by him are still being discovered to this day.

His whistles are identified either by his logo ("Barrall Birmingham" inside an elliptic shaped stamp), or by special features which enthusiastic collectors can identify.

Addresses

Barrall made whistles from three addresses:

Number Dates

Street

Dates

1a

Caroline

1886-1894

12

Parade

1895-1896

115

Camden

1897-1898

Models & Whistle Types

  • GSWs, a common term among whistle collectors for General service whistles.
  • Beaufort Whistle
  • Escargot Whistle, all rare
  • Round Pea Whistle, one type is known.

All of Barrall's whistles are considered very scarce or rare and are of higher values. For some models there is only one copy known to exist.

Body Stamps

On GSWs: " Warranted Perfect " A unique Barral stamp, Birmingham city Police, London city Police, City Police, "Birmingham Police A. R. Thomas New St. Birm.".

On Beauforts: "Liverpool police Warranted Perfect " with or without logo.

On Escargot: Salvation Army crest shaped whistle.

On Round Pea: "J. Buck 124 New St", a distributor name.

Barrall is known to have supplied stamped whistles only to the London, Liverpool, and Birmingham police.