Stony Posted March 10, 2014 Share #1 Posted March 10, 2014 Does anyone know what the 23/230 means on the RAF ditch whistle? I've also seen the same thing on other RAF items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted March 10, 2014 Share #2 Posted March 10, 2014 It's the British Air Ministry stores reference number. Everything from aircraft equipment to toilet paper would have such a number. I;m not suggesting yours is, but these whistles are being reproduced. Regards, Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted March 10, 2014 Share #3 Posted March 10, 2014 As Matt says, replicas are easy to obtain over here. They are actually made by the original "Acme" company which still manufactures their famous "Thunderer" whistle, of which this is just a military marked variant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stony Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted March 10, 2014 I understand it's a reference number just like the U.S. ones, but does the actual number itself have a significance? (i.e. date, place of manufacture) I'm actually getting 4 of them in the original WWII shipping box. They are not reproductions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted March 10, 2014 Share #5 Posted March 10, 2014 They all have the same number...it's just a standard stock #...like all items of military equipment. As far as where it was made, the Acme factory is in Birmingham ( not the one in Alabama...the original English one!) These WW2 whistles crop up on eBayUK quite frequently. Originals usually sell for around £30 / $50. Acmes in copies of original issue boxes are also available from some dealers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted March 10, 2014 Share #6 Posted March 10, 2014 BTW...the reverse side bears the number 93/14/L1795. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted March 10, 2014 Share #7 Posted March 10, 2014 I can't find the ditching whistle seller at the moment, but they come boxed like this Acme "cricket". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted March 10, 2014 Share #8 Posted March 10, 2014 A well-used example. http://www.retonthenet.co.uk/original-vintage-military-ww2-raf-air-crew-ditching-whistle-air-ministry-kings-crown-circa-1940s-escargot-type-23230-29314l1795-1937-p.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stony Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted March 10, 2014 Thanks for the info Sabre, appreciate it. These are in the original box, not repros or repro boxes. I will post pictures later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Survival Posted March 19, 2014 Share #10 Posted March 19, 2014 I am looking forward to seeing those pictures of the whistle and box..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stony Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted March 20, 2014 Pictures posted here: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/204609-raf-ditch-whistles-in-box-type-41-gloves-type-h-hose/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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