I just looked at mine. Same description, Boy Scout model. Mine was bought for me at age 13. That was 1967.
An Old Knife
- Thread starter Onomea
- Start date
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.
Would Texas Star care to attempt to identify the air crew man's knife in THE PILGRIM's picture in reply #33? They look like WW II navy airmen. I do not see the lanyard hole that onomea's Western in the original post has. I can not see whether or not it has Western's dual tang. As far as I know the pommel could be Western, Case, Marbles, Ka-Bar or a lessor known brand. Due to the incredible expansion of their fleet the navy famously scrounged all reasonable substitutes for their Mark I deck knife.
Texas Star
US Veteran
You described the situation well, and individual sailors and aviators also frequently bought their own.
I THINK the man on the left has a Western, but don't know the line well enough to know the model. The man on the right seems to have a different pommel, which I can't see well enough to be sure about.
Most Western pommels weren't drilled for a thong, so if one is, that may help ID the knife. I THINK all variants of their Shark Knife had drilled pommels, but am not an expert. Curved blades are not the Shark Knife.
Even when a make can be identified, as with Maj. Richard Bong's Randall, it's hard to know the knife in the sheath. Randall offered, for instance, "commando" shaped handles on both Models 1 and 2.
I haven't seen the Bong photo in awhile. If someone will post it, I'll make a guess, or maybe Gary Randall knows.
There's also a good photo of Errol Flynn wearing his Randall knife in the cockpit of his yacht. The sheath is just curved enough to make the knife ID hard.
The official Randall scrimshaw artist (Rick Bowles) is a member here and has access to those photos. Maybe he'll post them again?
In viewing British commandos' knives, look for the curved guard to see if it's a First Model, and the handle is silver. Third Models have ringed handles, not checkered.
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I had the same knife when I was a kids during WW2. Don't know where it went. But I do have a Cattasargus Marine knife that came from Guadacanal during that war. Sheath is long gone.
THE PILGRIM
Member
In WWII, The US bought more variations of more different knives from more makers than any time before or since.
For example, I count 12 variations of the Marine Matchete.
As some folks still brought their own personal knives.
Back to the photo - Gyrene on the left appears to be toting a Western.
That's based on sheath snap location.
In that era, Western mostly produced sheaths with low snaps,
Most other folks most of the time put the snap higher.
As I look through Cole Vol. 3, my eyes glaze over as I look at an array of different very similar knives.
A likely candidate is - Western made a small Shark knife, 4 7/8 blade, full hilt, aluminum butt,
No hole.
For example, I count 12 variations of the Marine Matchete.
As some folks still brought their own personal knives.
Back to the photo - Gyrene on the left appears to be toting a Western.
That's based on sheath snap location.
In that era, Western mostly produced sheaths with low snaps,
Most other folks most of the time put the snap higher.
As I look through Cole Vol. 3, my eyes glaze over as I look at an array of different very similar knives.
A likely candidate is - Western made a small Shark knife, 4 7/8 blade, full hilt, aluminum butt,
No hole.
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