Custom Made Western.....

[Trent Rock]

Let's see if Codger can tell what this knife was originally....

It has been in the WAY back of my mom's kitchen drawer for at least 40 yrs
I remember seeing it as a little kid
I like the way my dad converted the guard into a pommel!!!
Classic stuff....

Can someone redirect me to the "ugliest knife" thread?
I think I got a winner here

 

[555]

Can someone redirect me to the "ugliest knife" thread?
I think I got a winner here

Wow, or Favorite/most used knife Contest.


Great pictures and a Cool piece of Family history.
I say the knife is a keeper.
Thanks for sharing this in the Forum.:thumbup:


LOL BTW To bad that the Company closed down, because I think you have a Warranty issue here.

 

[Codger_64]

Let's see if Codger can tell what this knife was originally....

It was originally a Western hunting knife and it was made after Harlow Platts' patent "Pat. No. 1,967479" (bifuricated tang) issued on July 24th, 1934. I believe it is/was an L36K or possibly an L66. Both appear in my 1948 catalog and have similar depth of choil and the rise in the blade spine that this relic displays.

Now you know the blade was broken and reground. I see Cliff Stamp spine whacks indicating that it may have been used to split cordwood, possibly steel barge cable. This is also the rare bailing wire model, a very unique, rare and desirable feature. And it may indicate that this knife was a WWII trench art knife, the bailing wire being used to attach it to the lugs of an M1 Garand rifle.

How's that? I made it up! Can you tell? Well, the last part I did. Try it on eBay with a $500 hidden reserve!

Codger :thumbup:

 

[Trent Rock]

I see Cliff Stamp spine whacks indicating that it may have been used to split cordwood, possibly steel barge cable. This is also the rare bailing wire model, a very unique, rare and desirable feature. And it may indicate that this knife was a WWII trench art knife, the bailing wire being used to attach it to the lugs of an M1 Garand rifle.

Rofl
Man...Now you got me thinking
My dad was in the Navy (USS New Jersey / radioman)
I wonder what type of knives radioman carried
I wish the old man was still around to ask him

The blade IS cracked
I was gonna take it apart and put a wood handle on it
But I think I'll just keep it like it is......

 

[Codger_64]

...But I think I'll just keep it like it is......

Now you are using the old noggin. It's value as a heritage knife transcends it's condition, or how it's utility might be improved by altering it. As almost always with heritage knives, I suggest a display frame with a pic of Dad (possibly in uniform circa WWII), a check or other example of his signature.

Value as a reworked relic- $1.00
Value as a heritage knife- Priceless.

Codger

 

[Trent Rock]

That's a great idea
I actually found his dogtag from the Navy this Thanksgiving
It has a # on it but it doesn't look like a Social Security #
I also have a picture of my dad and 2 of my uncles in their navy uniforms
It looks like they are at some bar

 

[coffeecup]

That's a great idea
I actually found his dogtag from the Navy this Thanksgiving
It has a # on it but it doesn't look like a Social Security #
I also have a picture of my dad and 2 of my uncles in their navy uniforms
It looks like they are at some bar

Trent, SS#s started in 1936, but they weren't adopted as identification numbers for servicemen until 1969 (Army/Air Force), 1972 (Navy/Marines), and 1974 (Coast Guard). If your father's service was prior to 1972 (or possibly later, as tags were not instantly replaced), his tags wouldn't have a SS#.

As for the types of knives carried by radiomen, of the half-dozen or so naval radiomen who served during the 1941-1975 period that I've managed to interview, all mentioned knives that fit the description of a camp knife (5, 1941-1961), a demo knife (2, both in the 1960-1970 range), and a TL-29 (all 6).

 

[Trent Rock]

What was the # called?
Military ID #??
I think it was something like 1234-567 format

Interesting on radioman's knives
Sounds about right
I have a feeling my dad was camp knife type of guy....

 

[coffeecup]

Dog tags are a whole sub-area of study in themselves, one I'm not real familiar with. I've seen the number referred to as a serial number or service number in various WWII and later documents.

Someone who can "read" the numbers (or has the right book!) can derive a great deal of information form serial numbers. I don't know how it worked for the Navy, but Army numbers indicated Regular Army/National Guard/draftee/officer, Corp Area/Service Command, etc.

 

[Trent Rock]

Dog tags are a whole sub-area of study in themselves, one I'm not real familiar with.

I was thinking that too
I'll take a pic of it next time I am home and maybe with some internet research I can figure it out
At least I will know MORE about dog tags then before anyways...........

 

[coffeecup]

I was thinking that too
I'll take a pic of it next time I am home and maybe with some internet research I can figure it out
At least I will know MORE about dog tags then before anyways...........

Be sure to note the metal; its probably either stainless, aluminum, or monel metal (nickel copper alloy with traces of steel and something I forget) but might be brass. Get a picture of the backs as well, some actually had fingerprints etched on the back. The chain can also be indicative, or it might even be a cotton-covered monel metal wire, or perhaps he replaced it with a bootlace.

Good luck in your search, holler if you need help.