There are a couple of 19th cen. swords on ebay that have whistles built into their hilts ...... was this feature common ?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem...2237342503

Mac

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how bizarre...I wonder if they actually used the whistle and how. this is very interesting and unusual...

Whistles have been used by various armies to give orders over the noise of battle. You may recall the scenes from "paths of Glory" where Kirk Douglas orders French troops out of the trenches by blowing his whistle. His was hung on a lanyard around his neck. So it would make sense to include the whistle in the hilt of an officer's sword to keep it handy. I have to admit it is news to me that this was actually done.

These swords are not uncommon. No-one I have spoken to has been able to tell
me why it was thought that having a whistle in the hilt was a practical solution for
the need for one. One guy suggested that as these are high ranking officer's swords
they probably used them to signal each other when afternoon drinks were
being poured in the officers mess.

My father who's been a rabid American Civil War collector for years has one made by Tiffany's and according to
the books he's got they were used by the fellas who led the army marching bands ( you know the guys in the maceys
parade with the whistle and the big stick they throw about only the whistles in the sword and you don't lob the sword about ) .

I think it is the French Infantry Officer's sword P1822 that has a sword knot with a whistle where the British has an "acorn".

Actually, this makes sense to me.

If you're mounted, reins in the left hand, sword in the right, all you need to do is raise the hilt to your lips and give a little toot.