OP
Sounds like the same stamp that bgrafsr's knife, above, has. I think it must be a variation that the chart I posted does not have.
An Old Knife
- Thread starter Onomea
- Start date
Oscar Zulu
Member
I have my fathers 4' Western he bought in Japan during the Korean War. He carried it in a leg pocket of his flight suit. He told me it was to be used to pop his life raft if it ever inflated in the cockpit.
It went on to be his primary hunting knife, and rides sheath and all in a slot on the sheath of his Knapp Hunting Kit, a well made bone saw. He must have used it quite a bit as it is sharpened enough to have narrowed the blade. Elk and mule deer.
It went on to be his primary hunting knife, and rides sheath and all in a slot on the sheath of his Knapp Hunting Kit, a well made bone saw. He must have used it quite a bit as it is sharpened enough to have narrowed the blade. Elk and mule deer.
DWalt
Member
I have one very similar to it put away somewhere. Except it has a Boy Scout (BSA with fleur-de-leis) stamping. I don't think it has a WESTERN stamp, but I'd have to locate it to be sure. It was old when I got it many years ago.
OP
Re not seeing your pic, maybe something to do with my using an iPad?
Anyway, glad it is visible to most of us, and thanks for identifying my knife.
Anyway, glad it is visible to most of us, and thanks for identifying my knife.
DWalt
Member
The pictures are still there in PB. You can copy all of them at once and move them to any other similar photo service. At least I had no problem doing that. I use IMGUR, it works fine and is free. Anyone with the PB patch can still see old images pasted from PB to threads. Unless PB has recently come up with some way to prevent that.
Chubbo
Member
I found a mod. number stamped in the brass guard, of this knife, that I hadn't noticed before, it's L66. The leather sheath for it, is stamped with the same design as Bgrafsr"s. The blade stamping, is not like any on the chart, and, I notice that different models, have different thickness of plastic spacers, in the handle, for the different models of their knives. I believe that somewhere along the line in the evaluation of this knife brand, that Western, was taken over by the Estwing Co., and I think, they are still in business today.
Chubbo
Chubbo
Highhawk1948
Member
Nice find. I found one years ago in the woods. It was Western's Boy Scout model.
A year ago in a pawn/gun shop I stumbled onto a Western with the same 5" up swept point blade that THE PILGRIM's old Sears Buffalo Skinner has. Mine has a hard wood handle. Except for the sheath drying a bit it is in brand new condition. At $20 O.T.D. I did not dicker. It has the tang stamp shown above for carbon blades 1991-2007 over the date stamp J. The 10 year old thread that the tang stamp chart was borrowed from does not include individual year alphabet codes. If any one can post what year my Western was made I'd appreciate it.
DWalt
Member
I did find mine. It has a 4" blade. Western is stamped into the blade steel on one side, the Boy Scout insignia (Fleur-de-leis) is stamped into the steel on other side. The brass snap button for the retaining strap on the leather sheath also has the Boy Scout insignia on it. The "Western" stamp is unlike any of those shown in #16. In three lines: WESTERN/BOULDER, COLO/MADE IN U.S.A. (WESTERN is about twice the height of letters in the lower two lines). The leather disc handle does have the red band, top and bottom, and the aluminum base is held on with two transverse pins. It has been well used.
Any idea as to its dating?
Any idea as to its dating?
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I just looked at mine. Same description, Boy Scout model. Mine was bought for me at age 13. That was 1967.
DWalt
Member
For sure, mine goes back to before 1967. I had it back in the mid-50s, and it wasn't new then. I can't say where it came from as I don't remember. My knife blade could use some cleaning and polishing, but the leather sheath is still in pretty good condition with tight stitching. I did sharpen the knife several years ago.
THE PILGRIM
Member
THE PILGRIM
Member
The Navy likes to carry their blades up high and in front.
Probably a good idea for water landings-entanglements.
I have had sharp blades cut completely through shearhs, so I am concerned about that happening.
Sometimes AF folks seem to be going 'Navy.'
Probably a good idea for water landings-entanglements.
I have had sharp blades cut completely through shearhs, so I am concerned about that happening.
Sometimes AF folks seem to be going 'Navy.'
Attachments
Well, I just discovered that the knife I picked up at a yard sale 8 or 10 yrs ago is a western. Legend on the blade reads:
WESTERN
U.S.A. L66
E
It has 4.5" blade
Not sure about dating it because of the placement of the L66, and letter E, but I am assuming 1991 forward.
WESTERN
U.S.A. L66
E
It has 4.5" blade
Not sure about dating it because of the placement of the L66, and letter E, but I am assuming 1991 forward.
It's got character.I like it.
Texas Star
US Veteran
The pic of Col. Olds shows much wiser knife placement.
Even as a Cub Scout, I was taught to wear my hunting knife well back on my hip, to avoid injury if a sheath was pierced in a fall.
Back then, I don't think I'd have bought a Western knife. More likely, a Remington, Marble's Ideal, or a PAL copy of Remington RH-36 pattern. Or, splurged on a Randall. One reason to buy a Randall would be the better sheath.
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OP
T-Star, there are custom sheath makers out there.
I have several from a craftsman, Bob Schrap, with whose work I am well pleased, for knives which are important to me. Robust and attractive. A variety of designs.
I have several from a craftsman, Bob Schrap, with whose work I am well pleased, for knives which are important to me. Robust and attractive. A variety of designs.
Texas Star
US Veteran
Thanks. But I was referring to the early 1950's or in WW II, when those photos were taken. I'm sure a few sheath makers existed, but few combat pilots knew any.
BTW, I think I wrote a profile on Bob Schrap for a knife magazine. He'll probably recall that, but don't post my name on the board if he gives it to you. He may be able to send a copy of that story, as you're a repeat customer. I no longer have copies of many profiles or time to search the ones I've kept. Keep in mind that several thousand articles were involved, over a span of about 30 years.
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That's Col. Robin Olds.
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