Any suggestions on Western Bowie

P

PCL

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May 25, 2012
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I have an older Western bowie pre-49 that I have had for years. This is the condition I found it in and I have often thought of having tang repaired and then re-handle it. I believe the sheath is also period correct but obviously in bad shape. I'm not a welder so I can't fix it. Leave it alone or fix it. I know the option is mine, just wondering would you all might do, I can afford to re-furbish it, but would anyone else bother?





 
Sure looks like a W49, except for the short tang. How short is it? Maybe there's enough.
 
As long as the blade and remaining tang is intact, there shouldn't be much trouble making a new handle & guard.

The tang can be lenghtened without welding, with a bicycle chainlink and a 1/4" schackle screw.
Then You can make the handle You want and get it tight with a pommelnut.

IMGP5203.jpg

Like this!



Regards
Mikael
 
Now that is nifty thanks, but I want to return it to original specs but in all the threads and other places I don't think anyone ever determined what type of steel they used. I want the full tang back with brass guard and rosewood handles.
 
PCL said:
Now that is nifty thanks, but I want to return it to original specs but in all the threads and other places I don't think anyone ever determined what type of steel they used. I want the full tang back with brass guard and rosewood handles.
Click to expand...

Well, then You will have to forge a new tang to the old one.
I guess it's not worth the expence, unless You are skilled in forging and can do it Yourself.

J. Neilson M.S. do handforged bowieblanks for homebuilders.
I guess I would go that route before spending $$$ on a reforge.



Regards
Mikael
 
The blade should be made out of high carbon steel. I think 1095. I do have a W49 but it is a 1987 model. Here are some knife specs I found • Blade Length: 8.875"
• Handle Length: 6" • Overall Length: 14.875". Mine is a full tang design and from the front of the hand guard to the end of the handle is 5 1/4 inches so I believe that the tang has been cut off. If you want some pictures let me know.
 
I've seen a couple certificates of analysis from Western during the '65-'77 period. The high-carbon (i.e., non-stainless) steel was 1095.
 
Actually most of the catalogs are mine. It is hard enough finding info on Western so I wanted to share what I had.
 
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