Richard H - the instrument you describe is known in German folk musik as Teufelsgeige = Devil's violin.

The oddest percussion instruments I played are in our local Volunteer Fire Department. I told my fellow firefighters that our fire house is full of music, and proved it by banging tow bars with a hatchet, coupling keys with the metal tipper of my triangle, and empty fire extinguishers with keys. We formed a rhythm group and banged happily away, sometimes shouting "cha-cha-cha".
At this occasion I added a big "whoof" blowing a B-nozzle with an euphonium mouthpiece (this is no percussion instrument, but it fitted very well).

Wilfried