Never sharpened, carried, or cleaned. In addition, their handsome appearance makes them favorites for collectors. The letters A through O can be seen on their knives depending upon the year of manufacture during the years '77 to '91. : Western USA W49 Wood Bowie Fixed Blade Knife & Sheath c.1984, SPRING HILL CUTLERY (eBay: bargainseller02), Western Boulder, Colo. Cracked Ice Knife & Hatch Set 1935 to 1950, VINTAGE WESTERN R16 USA M FIXED BLADE HUNTING SKINNING BOWIE SURVIVAL KNIFE KNIVES OLD SHEATH, VINTAGE WESTERN 742 STOCKMAN JACK PEN FOLDING POCKET KNIFE KNIVES OLD ANTIQUE, VINTAGE 1983 WESTERN USA W77 G FIXED BLADE COMBAT FIGHTING DIRK DAGGER BOOT KNIFE KNIVES OLD, Vintage MINT Westmark 701 hunting knife and original leather sheath, WESTER CUTLERY CO. GERMANY 2 1/2" 2 BLADE PEARL CONGRESS LIKE NEW, Western Cutlery Germany Bone Congress Knife, WESTERN USA, W36 Fixed Blade Knife and Sheath. At least I know the knife was made between 1977 and 1980, thanks for the help! The knife on the right in my picture above is an example of the 3rd variant. White Deer Damascus Steel Rattler Bowie Knife with Frost Wood Handle - GDM-02, White Deer Damascus Outback American Bowie Knife, WHITE DEER D2 Steel Extreme Duty XXL Bowie Knife Large Independent Survival Implement D-2, White Deer Extreme Duty XXL Bowie Knife, 11.5" Japanese CP Steel, Wood Handle, White Deer Exclusive Damascus Bowie Knife, Rosewood & Burl Olive Wood Handle, Master Cutlery Ultimate Extractor Bowie Survival Knife - Black, Rite Edge Bowie Knife, 15" Overall Length, Wood Handle, Sheath, Cold Steel Marauder, 9" Stonewashed Plain Blade, Kray-Ex Handle, Sheath - 39LSWBA, White Deer Magnum Outback American Bowie Knife with High Carbon Stainless Steel & Leather Handle, Ontario SP10 Spec Plus Marine Raider, 9.75" Blade, Kraton Handle, Sheath - 8684, Custom Made Damascus Steel Bowie Knife w/ Buffalo Horn Handle w/Sheath, White Deer magnum XXL Large Bowie Knife with Leather Sheath, Bear & Son American Damascus Bowie Knife with Genuine India Stag Bone Handle - 502D, Cold Steel Wild West Bowie, 10.75" 1090 Carbon Blade, Rosewood Handle - 81B, White Deer Damascus Steel Alamo Jim Bowie Knife, White Deer Damascus Steel Blood Groove Bowie Knife with Rose Wood Handle, KA-BAR BK9 Becker Combat Bowie Knife, 9.25" Blade, Ultramid Handle, White Deer Ranger Bowie Knife Damascus Steel 55-60 HRC Forged 1095 High Carbon, White Deer Damascus Steel Traditional Bowie Knife, White Deer Damascus Steel Bowie W/Giraffe Bone & Copper Bolster EXCLUSIVE, Damascus Steel Bowie Knife Full Tang Buffalo Horn Handle, White Deer Magnum Dave Dundee Bowie Knife Jungle Sawback Serrated Spine w/Wood Handle, SOG Seal Pup Knife, 4.75" ComboEdge AUS8 Blade, GRN Handle, Kydex Sheath - M37K, KA-BAR Bowie Knife, 6.9" Blade, Stacked Leather Handle, Leather Sheath - 1236, Spyderco Street Bowie, 5.05" VG10 Blade, FRN Handle, Sheath - FB04PBB, Bear & Son Cutlery White Smooth Bone Damascus Bowie - WSB02D, Executive Ridge Bowie Knife Wood Grips Trail Runner Elite Full Tang AUS-6 Steel, White Deer Damascus Steel Bowie Knife W/Giraffe Bone & Rose Wood Handle, 1095HC Damascus Steel Clip-Pont Bowie Knife Blank with DIY Make-Your-Own Handle, Jungle Bowie Knife, 12" Stainless Steel Sawback Blade, Hardwood Handle, Condor Hudson Bay Camp Knife, 8.5" Carbon Blade, Hardwood Handle, Leather Sheath - CTK240-8.5HC, Cold Steel Knives Bowie Bushman, Black SK-5 Carbon Steel, Secure-Ex Sheath, Fantasy Alien Bowie Dagger with Display Stand, 9 5/8 G10 Handle Fixed Blade with Leather Sheath, Laminated Hardwood Handle with G10 Spacers, 10 Everyday Objects You Can Use to Sharpen a Knife.   Vietnam   |   English (US)   |   (VND), remembering account, browser, and regional preferences, remembering privacy and security settings, personalized search, content, and recommendations, helping sellers understand their audience, showing relevant, targeted ads on and off Etsy. Consistently earned 5-star reviews, shipped orders on time, and replied quickly to messages, Looks like you already have an account! by zzyzzogeton Fri Dec 15, 2017 3:44 am, Post Of the five two were chrome plated and three were not. (30% off), Sale Price 2,093,350 by kootenay joe Fri Dec 15, 2017 4:49 pm, Post Those partners may have their own information theyve collected about you. Used one for years for yardwork, camping, etc till I discovered machetes. Stories of Cowboys and Indians and shoot-outs at the O.K. 3,263,547, 4,662,315 Original Price 2,339,655 Western started making stainless versions of some of their knives as early as 1967. 91/4"LONG BLADE,TOTAL KNIFE LENGTH IS 14 1/2", BLADE WIDTH IS 2" & WEIGHS 1# 14 OZ IN SHETH. The chrome one I own has a replacment sheath made of canvas. If you come across a chrome plated Western Bowie it was probably plated for jungle use. I carry it with me on all my excursions. (45% off), Sale Price 2,955,665 It was also the last year they were made in Boulder, CO. - They moved to Longmont, CO. in 1978 and continued the alphabet dating code for another 15 years until they were sold at auction to Camillus in 1991. The Bowie knife also played a prominent role in western lore. View Etsys Privacy Policy. The appearance of items in the individual listings may vary slightly from the one above. Take this Hibben bowie knife with you into the most untamed environments and use it under the harshest conditions The bowie has a keenly sharp, 14" stainless steel, clip point blade with a high-polish finish and a beefy profile The red-brown, natural-look wooden handle is complemented by a gold-plated blade catcher and handguard As a bowie knife, this was designed for hunting and survival, but as a high-priced Buck knife with a few dozen handle materials to choose from and the option to add a display box and an engraving it makes a pretty stellar gift and display piece. (50% off), Sale Price 1,666,256 I think I read somewhere that when Camillus bought the name in 1991, they moved production to the Camillus factory in New York. Late 1800s antique British US Western style Bowie knife marked IXL. Original Price $121.00 For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. This traditionally 2,955,665, 9,852,217 I have two other knives my cousin gave me in 1969 when he returned from Vietnam. (75% off), Sale Price 1,722,414 I hope this helps, Brad? Try using a different browser or disabling ad blockers. Chrome is very hard and resist a lot of the normal scratching that would show on other knives. The marking are very important. A couple years ago I bought a Coleman era W49. There are at least 4 more variations in knife markings and wooden handle type from then to 1977 when Western started date coding their knives on the blade. The stamping is only on the Brass guard and there are no letters denoting age. Great 'package'. The 4th variant also has larger pins. Inspect in Game. The ones marked on the blade with "BOWIE" (Pictured) are definately Vietnam era. If the knife has the original leather sheath I expect to see some pretty hard use on that leather. Free shipping on orders $99+. 2,500,000, 3,571,429 I bought one at a Sheriff's auction about 20 years ago. And, especially thanks for posting it here! The exception being that instead of the word Bowie on the pile side it would say "W49." The 4th variant, I believe, is similarly guard marked and stamped "W49" instead of Bowie, like the 3rd variant, on the pile side. Sale Price $120.00 The Western W-49 is made of 1095 carbon steel. They made several matching that description, but the most common I see are the 8" G46-8 or L46-8. To enable personalized advertising (like interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. He designed it as a hunting knife and gave it to James for protection after his brother had been shot in a fight. I did it out of personal curiosity when I got my Forester. by WesternBowieAxe Wed May 02, 2018 3:11 am, Post western style Bowie knife Hammerheadknife (13) $200.00 FREE shipping More like this Large bowie knife ForgeZbk (14) $599.24 FREE shipping More like this 10 inches Blade Hand crafted Bowie knife, Bushcraft knife, full tang, leaf spring of truck, Tempered, Razor Sharpen, Ready to use Famouskukri (186) $149.99 $249.99 (40% off) FREE shipping Rare WW11 large Bowie knife made by Jack Soler from Allentown PA was a U.S. Navy Seabee during World War 11. Found something you love but want to make it even more uniquely you? They are the older high carbon blades. I guess the extra weight of the brass piece on the spine of the blade helps. Etsys 100% renewable electricity commitment includes the electricity used by the data centers that host Etsy.com, the Sell on Etsy app, and the Etsy app, as well as the electricity that powers Etsys global offices and employees working remotely from home in the US. Bowie Knife Cold Steel Fixed Blade Knife Knives And Swords When this U.S. Army Ranger was 10 he made a knife. The most common by far is the bowie with the wooden handle the (W49). The jets rip has an easily broken cat guard and a very thick grind not and efficient chopper . (70% off), Sale Price $135.00 Original leather sheath. Exterior: Minimal Wear. Check out our awesome collection now. It may not display this or other websites correctly. here's a pic of the western along side an old trailmaster and recon. I cut the hilt down took some belly off the blade, had a sheath made and for a total investment of $40.00 got a knife that has served me well. Consistently earned 5-star reviews, shipped orders on time, and replied quickly to messages, Looks like you already have an account! 2,020,725, 3,367,876 JavaScript is disabled. Vintage 14 1/2" Western W49 Bowie Knife with Sheath. (50% off), Sale Price 1,097,291 3,338,731, 4,173,456 It may not display this or other websites correctly. An old and proven friend. Pics would help to identify the knife. 1,722,414, 2,460,591 Western started doing this in 1977 and Coleman/Western continued it. My grandfather carried this one for 50 years: You must log in or register to reply here. Orsold or pawned to shops in Fayettenam! 1,056,736, 1,243,264 And you are spot-on when you allude to "gray areas." Thanks zzyzzogeton! See the top reviewed local furniture stores and showrooms in Tramonti di Sopra, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy on Houzz. I hope it helps? Recently Added Knives by Maker Advanced Search Sell Your Knives. At least as far as I've been able to determine. (25% off), Sale Price $77.64 It has been custom painted with knotwork. Tweet Mine probably dates back farther than yours (before Coleman bought Western) and the vanadium steel they used back then was excellent. I just scored a copy of Harvey Platts' "The Knife Makers Who Went West" from 1978. 3.3 3.3 . All of the W49s Ive seen from Western Cutlery are high carbon steel and most of them show some sign of aging after 30 plus years. All have positives all have negatives oh to decide i still have the one i bought back in the '70's i wore every where butt work. If your really lucky you might come across a presentation piece but that is still not a guarentee that it was in Vietnam. Click Buy it now or Add to cart and proceed to checkout. Cut off the top guard years ago. Jim Bowie, in his brief lifetime, was as famous as any American then drawing breath. sogmanjoe, The real surprise to me was the Case Bowie chopping all the way through in fifteen minutes. JavaScript is disabled. This pattern is not exclusive to Western although they were the last to mass produce it. The knife had been made by his brother, Rezin, a year prior. Many of the examples of Vietnam War vintage Bowies do not appear to have traveled any further west than the California shoreline . The straight-edge knife is fitted with a 7-inch blade and. Original Price 9,359,606 Does shopping on Etsy help support small businesses? Although it is not as pleasing to the eye as the wooden handled Western, it does have many of the same features as the V-44 pattern of old. Items are guaranteed to be AS DESCRIBED - if there is any problem with your purchase, please contact me - I value your business and want you to be a satisfied customer! Tep. Original Price $188.24 One is the lack of surviving documents from the Western Cutlery Co. . by zzyzzogeton Fri Dec 15, 2017 3:48 am, Post Timber Rattler Western Outlaw Bowie Knife $29.99 Gil Hibben Assault Tactical Knife With Sheath $77.99 Gil Hibben Highlander Bowie Damascus with Sheath $169.99 $116.98! $2295 SIGNED WW11 FIGHTING KNIFE. It started my knife addiction. FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $99* & 60-DAY RETURNS. Is it uncommon to come across a Bowie with that "been there and done that" look? I was so ticked at the time I never tried chopping with it again. It was also the last year that Western manufactured their knives in Boulder, Colorado. I have two of them. This type of data sharing may be considered a sale of information under California privacy laws. (70% off), Sale Price 3,263,547 The USMC Rader Battalions of WW2 made this pattern their own and therefore famous. I still havent actually put my hands on one of the W49s with the chrome plating. I am trying to decide between the Western, Case, Ontario, or the new Remington. $299.99 eBay SUPER RARE KABAR HOBO PERFECT HANDLES KNIFE, FORK, SPOON 1923 TO 1037 $875.00 eBay Case XX USA 10 Dot 1970 5254 Trapper Genuine Stag Handles Unused N Mint Specks $345.00 eBay RARE VINTAGE CASE XX REDBONE SCOUT UTILITY KNIFE 6445 R 1940-64 "NICE!!! Charlie. It was also the last year they were made in Boulder, CO. $86.70, $289.00 Captcha failed to load. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. The one I have is chromed on the blade, crossguard and handle pins. (50% off), Sale Price 1,912,315 I like them very much. Western didn't seem to keep real accurate records. With powerful tools and services, along with expert support and education, we help creative entrepreneurs start, manage, and scale their businesses. Or am I missing something? I have spent many hours cruising around here. Buy It Now. I guess I have been lucky over the past 35 years of collecting. Original Price $185.00 Etsy is powered by 100% renewable electricity. There was a problem subscribing you to this newsletter. The knife in the middle with the larger pins and modified guard is an example of the 5th variant, c.1977. I'm curious to know what year Western first manufactured the W49? Under Add your personalization, the text box will tell you what the seller needs to know. I have been trying for some time to compile dating info and as you probably know there are some gray areas. Your knife was made in 1986. Its something for me to shoot for. 2,068,966, 6,896,552 The second problem is defining the Vietnam time period for these knives and other equipment. Check out the latest price. WESTERN BOULDER / COLO. USA on one side and BOWIE on the other. Original Price 4,063,793 Anyone have experience with them? But I believe I can give you some good advice. 203 pages of Case and Western Cutlery history from the time they were in the east through the move west to Boulder Colorado and after. This is a 1980s Western W-49 Bowie knife with rosewood and brass handle and tang valued at $160 to $200CAD. SKIP. $184.50, $615.00 Bowie Knife. Because it still seems like an amazing knife. $123.74, $164.99 It's the 30s to 76 that is sometimes enigmatic. It was also the last year that Western manufactured their knives in Boulder, Colorado. Let me know. The "J" on you knife is a date code. The knife on the left is the 2nd variant of the W49 and is blade marked:WESTERN / BOWIE / USA. In fact in 20 years of service, was never given a Vietnam carried knife. How easy or difficult is it to come across a Western Bowie that actually looks like it may have seen use during the Vietnam War. I gave one to my dad as a gift many years agothe knife I gave him is like a razor. Ridge Runner Whitetail Ridge Bowie Knife $26.99 $9.98! Designed by Jim Bowie and fabricated first by Jesse Clifft, the almost 10-inch-long blade had a flat spine and no guard between its blade and handle. (40% off), Sale Price 2,359,467 Chrome plating of the blade was to protect it from rust in the jungle. $120.00, $200.00 (15% off), Sale Price 2,733,744 Please check your browser settings or contact your system administrator. ** I "BUY" KNIVES ** - Any Size Collection!!! This is a great bowie knife that you can get for under $30. (30% off), Sale Price $123.74 Check out completed auctions on the 'Bay for an idea of value. At least none that I can find. Although it was mainly used and marketed as a hunting knife, its origins were that of a weapon. Through name changes--to Western States Cutlery Co. in 1953, then Western Cutlery Co. in 1956--and moves first across town and later to Longmont Colorado, the company stayed under the leadership of the Platt family until 1984. The ones marked W49 with large handle bolts are questionable to me. It appears that much was lost during the periods that Western changed hands. Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of these sales. Learn more in our Privacy Policy., Help Center, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. W49, W47, W45 and the W43. It's easy! I have a long list of knives I kick myself for not buying. Original Price 2,460,591 1964 to late 1965/early 1966. zzyzzogeton, thanks so much for your reply. Etsys 100% renewable electricity commitment includes the electricity used by the data centers that host Etsy.com, the Sell on Etsy app, and the Etsy app, as well as the electricity that powers Etsys global offices and employees working remotely from home in the US. IMHO its hard to link gear made after 1972 to being In Country without being attached to some strong provenance. Vintage Western folding pocket knife. Set where you live, what language you speak, and the currency you use. I have a Western Bowie knife that my father gave me years ago. Original Price $149.97 $89.17, $297.22 (70% off), Sale Price $134.97 The facts are that the last two years of the war The U.S. was not sending in much of anything into the country as far as manpower and equipment. Western W49 Fixed Blade Bowie Survival Knife USA Leather Sheath Vintage: $260.00. This would provide the best provenance to establishing the exact time periods for these variations on the Western W49 and 649 knifes. No the one I have is chrome plated. The guard wasn't fitted well. Original Price 2,958,284 In 1911, H. N. Platts, was able to draw on his extensive friendships and family connections in the cutlery world to start Western States Cutlery and Manufacturing of Boulder Colorado. Colt revolvers aside, the Bowie knife was the weapon that made the Wild West wild. 1,708,876, 1,898,817 Thin edges can chop without damage, you just have to keep the blade straight so the force of the swing is aligned with the edge. The W49 is the most common found today. Send me exclusive offers, unique gift ideas, and personalized tips for shopping and selling on Etsy. Western Bowie 1984. 1,666,256, 3,029,557 remembering account, browser, and regional preferences, remembering privacy and security settings, personalized search, content, and recommendations, helping sellers understand their audience, showing relevant, targeted ads on and off Etsy. Powered by Invision Community. 899,015, 2,997,044 My biggest concern with their "chopping" ability is the very thin edge. I obviously don't know everything about these (or any other Western), just what I've picked up here on BF and other forums, but I think the knives were still being made at Western's Longmont, Colorado factory after Coleman bought the company, so they were being made by the same people on the same equipment using the same materials. It came in handy when I tested a Ontario sp 8 "machete". Original Price $200.00 1,912,315, 2,249,754 I used the Forester first, while I was fresh. (10% off), Sale Price $22.40 You can see where some of the plating is peeling with age and use. Original Price 4,205,911 If you can located a chromed one I would say there was a good possibility that it was used in Vietnam. Send me exclusive offers, unique gift ideas, and personalized tips for shopping and selling on Etsy. Western Knives of Boulder Colorado made four models of the Bowie knife. Thanks for compiling this data and putting it into the chart that you've provided. In 1991 the rights to the Western brand was auctioned to the Camillus Knife Co. . Sorry to dig up an old thread, but it seemed like the right place to add this. It is guard marked:WESTERN BOULDER / COLO. USA on the mark side and BOWIE on the pile side. The most common by far is the bowie with the wooden handle the (W49). (30% off), Sale Price 1,183,432 Value for money . Many sellers on Etsy offer personalized, made-to-order items. $66.55, $121.00 (40% off), Sale Price $75.30 And the sales receipt is proof of age. hardwood handles,leather sheath. Set where you live, what language you speak, and the currency you use. Western made at least two different stock numbered bowies during the Vietnam time period. 4,256,897, 6,978,325