B.G.I.- Bridgeport Gun & Implement co. whistle Model # 620 , Echo Call and 3 main variations.
B.G.I , Bridgeport Gun Implement Co. Escargot whistles.
A. Strauss Copyright © 2009
Model # 620, Echo call, is the first commercially popular american escargot type whistle, Since 1893.
It is a London style escargot whistle and has few variations ,
All made of Nickel plated Brass with Dome sides , button like.
whistle is constructed of 3 pieces and a bubble top fitting.
A part is the whistle's body , drum & left side which is pressed into a dome shape.
B part , The right side being a seperate part, dome shape button .
C part is the beak ( mouthpiece), which is made of one seamless tube pressed into a flat shape and soldered with an understrenthening piece to part A.
Here are 3 of the variations.
Beardsley and Moulton pat. # 497759 the patent was tooth grips of few types.
Patented May .23.1893.
B.G.I Co. Echo 620 stamp, plain with no ornaments stamped on left side of the whistle and Patented stamp on beak,
propably the rarer variation. Ex. 1
Variations of the Model are reflected in :
1) SIZE
Beak lenght , Longer beak, L 21.50 mm app. measured at upper side of beak.
Short beak; L; 19 mm app.
Width at widest point, 27 mm and over 28mm on the Union HDW co. ones.
Barrel end diameter about 1 mm smaller about 22 mm on Union HDW co.
2) Knop small and Large bubble top . ( Knop)
3) Body stamps
Ex 1. B.G.I Co. Echo 620 plain with no ornaments. stamped on left side
( Part A of the whistle) Pic. Ex. 1
Ex. 2 B.G.I Echo 620 with ornaments. stamped on Both sides. Patented stamp on beak.
Ex. 3. 620 Echo Made in U.S.A, Union HDW co. Torrington Conn. on left side (Part A)
no patent stamp on beak. Made at a Later period.
Ex. 4 (no Picture) . same as example 2 BUT the left side (Part A ) is plain .
No Patent "Patented ,May 23.83" stamp on beak on later models of example.
4) Pea type on later models is made of a cylinderical cork pea,
older ones have a round cork pea.
It should be noted that unlike many of the british london type escargot whistles of the early period,
that were either cleaned or rubbed off of plating , showing the brass ,
the B.G.I 620 have a heavy Nickel plating that rarely shows the brass,
but it is made of nice color brass.
Ex. 2
Ex. 3
The B.G.I London type escargot was made for many years 1890's to 1920's with variations.
1892 Catalog page showing the B.G.I # 620 Echo Call , London type escargot.
I had not yet encountered one with that actual stamp.
Whistle museum, A.Strauss All rights reserved, /2009/03/22 please do not use any part of this web page without a written permission from the author.
whistle museum, A.Strauss Copyright © 2009
A. Strauss Copyright © 2009
Model # 620, Echo call, is the first commercially popular american escargot type whistle, Since 1893.
It is a London style escargot whistle and has few variations ,
All made of Nickel plated Brass with Dome sides , button like.
whistle is constructed of 3 pieces and a bubble top fitting.
A part is the whistle's body , drum & left side which is pressed into a dome shape.
B part , The right side being a seperate part, dome shape button .
C part is the beak ( mouthpiece), which is made of one seamless tube pressed into a flat shape and soldered with an understrenthening piece to part A.
Here are 3 of the variations.
Beardsley and Moulton pat. # 497759 the patent was tooth grips of few types.
Patented May .23.1893.
B.G.I Co. Echo 620 stamp, plain with no ornaments stamped on left side of the whistle and Patented stamp on beak,
propably the rarer variation. Ex. 1
Variations of the Model are reflected in :
1) SIZE
Beak lenght , Longer beak, L 21.50 mm app. measured at upper side of beak.
Short beak; L; 19 mm app.
Width at widest point, 27 mm and over 28mm on the Union HDW co. ones.
Barrel end diameter about 1 mm smaller about 22 mm on Union HDW co.
2) Knop small and Large bubble top . ( Knop)
3) Body stamps
Ex 1. B.G.I Co. Echo 620 plain with no ornaments. stamped on left side
( Part A of the whistle) Pic. Ex. 1
Ex. 2 B.G.I Echo 620 with ornaments. stamped on Both sides. Patented stamp on beak.
Ex. 3. 620 Echo Made in U.S.A, Union HDW co. Torrington Conn. on left side (Part A)
no patent stamp on beak. Made at a Later period.
Ex. 4 (no Picture) . same as example 2 BUT the left side (Part A ) is plain .
No Patent "Patented ,May 23.83" stamp on beak on later models of example.
4) Pea type on later models is made of a cylinderical cork pea,
older ones have a round cork pea.
It should be noted that unlike many of the british london type escargot whistles of the early period,
that were either cleaned or rubbed off of plating , showing the brass ,
the B.G.I 620 have a heavy Nickel plating that rarely shows the brass,
but it is made of nice color brass.
Ex. 2 Ex. 3
The B.G.I London type escargot was made for many years 1890's to 1920's with variations.
1892 Catalog page showing the B.G.I # 620 Echo Call , London type escargot.
I had not yet encountered one with that actual stamp.
Whistle museum, A.Strauss All rights reserved, /2009/03/22 please do not use any part of this web page without a written permission from the author.
whistle museum, A.Strauss Copyright © 2009
Posted by WHISTLE MUSEUM at 5/18/2009 10:23 PM 
Categories: By Continent or Country:American, By Shape:Escargot referee, Whistle Manufacturers History and Samples by A.Strauss:American U.S.A., Patents, A Longer Article, By Material:Metal & Brass
Tags: whistle museum American whistles early american whistles B.G.I. whistle A.Strauss Antique whistles Catalog Page
Categories: By Continent or Country:American, By Shape:Escargot referee, Whistle Manufacturers History and Samples by A.Strauss:American U.S.A., Patents, A Longer Article, By Material:Metal & Brass
Tags: whistle museum American whistles early american whistles B.G.I. whistle A.Strauss Antique whistles Catalog Page
I have purchased a universal Dec 11, 88
I found it at an antique market. It does have a stamp on the mouth piece, but not on the side. I can't tell if it was worn off. Could you tell me more about it or if you would like to make an offer.
Thank you,
Tara Cifelli
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I have the same whistle I got at a garage sale. Did you ever find the value
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Recently obtained old German pitchpipe -- wood and horn, and we're trying to determine who made it and when. It has carved into it an "X" and an "H". The "X" is somewhat ornate -- looking like two "C's" back to back. On the wooden plunger are carved the corresponding notes, on the German scale. Any help?
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