Solid Brass New York Fire Dept Whistle

WHISTLE, a solid brass whistle with antique finish measuring 2 inches long and 3/4 inches wide. It has "City Of New York F.D." on one side and a raised star on the other. Whistles were used from the early 1800's to replace neighborhood beat rattles. Police and Fire Departments used whistles up until the late 60's when radios came to use as signal devices.