Page 370 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

K.W. HO!
Canton!
circa 1885-1910!

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The K.W.Ho mark only appears on silver bosun’s pipes. One can assume that this was either a small silversmith
who traded with sailors and sea captains who were “trapped” in Macau or Canton waiting for the trade winds to
take the return journey to Britain, elsewhere in Europe or America, or it was a ship’s chandler who
commissioned the pipes from artisan silversmiths. !

Boatswains calls can be traced as far back as 1248. In 1671 it officially became known as the Boatswain’s Call
[pronounced “bosun”] and found a place in the English and American Navies as a means of passing orders,
making it an honoured badge of rank. Because of its high pitch, it could be heard over the sounds of the sea,
work of the crew and stormy weather. It is now used in traditional bugle calls such as Evening Colours/Sunset,
and in other ceremonies in most modern navies. It is sometimes accompanied by other auditive features such
as ruffles and flourishes, voice commands and announcements, or even a gun salute!