Help identifying a 1950s Western knife?

tyr_shadowblade

tyr_shadowblade

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Many years ago, my Da gave me a knife, that was subsequently stolen. Been looking online for something similar but cannot find an example.

Brand was Western, fixed blade, approximately 4" blade with an unusual profile, IIRC the clip had a false edge. Tang and pommel were aluminum with a stub guard on the edge side, and what I believe may have been black water buffalo horn for the handle.

This sound familiar to anyone?

Thanks.
 
They made so many different patterns of fix blade, it's hard to narrow it down. I don't recall any buffalo handles from 50's era, but I'm certainly no expert on Western. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can comment.

In the reference 1955 Western catalog I have, there are 15 different fixed blade patterns with blade length between 3.5 and 4.5 inch long.
 
tyr_shadowblade tyr_shadowblade Here is a scan of a mid-50's Western States Cutlery Catalog sheet I've had in my collection for years. Maybe you can identify your knife if you see it. OH
 

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Bruce, on page 4/4 the pictures of the L66 and the L36 are switched. The descriptions are correct for the model numbers, but the photo of the L36 is next to the description of the L66, and vice versa.
 
Looked similar to the L88, but don't recall it being so upswept. Possible it was rehandled.

Alright, the blade profile in the catalog seemed a little off, just checked eBay and definitely an L88. Thanks!
 
tyr_shadowblade said:
Looked similar to the L88, but don't recall it being so upswept. Possible it was rehandled.

Alright, the blade profile in the catalog seemed a little off, just checked eBay and definitely an L88. Thanks!
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Glad you could figure it out, now just start searching for one that is close to your memory. Catalog illustrations from the older times were often artist drawings, very close but not exact, sometimes enough difference to create a bit of confusion in identification. Additionally, most of the knife work in past times was by hand, so knife to knife variation was the norm, not the exception, as compared to today’s knives that are predominately machine made and identical. OH
 
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