I.D. - Western USA Bowie

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cziv

cziv

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My father gave me a a nice big and hefty bowie knife. It was pretty grundgy so I gave it a few hours of scotchbrite rubbing and got it respectable again.

He's 90 now and still sharp but just couldn't recall when he bought it. I know the 1st time I saw it in his office (comes with a wall mounting board) was 1973. He believes he bought it in the late 1960's - like '68 or '69??

Anyway, I've read threads here and none are exactly like this one. Different sheaths, different handles on some and different companies owning the company. It only has Western USA on one hand guard and W49 on the other.

I'm trying to nail down any guesses on blade steel (number 1) and anything anyone might be able to throw in about it.

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I am no expert, but I do have a collection of Western W-49 bowies. That one appears to be a late Western with the large rivets and compressed wood handle. There are many versions of this knife. If yours is not stainless, it is Chrome-Vanadium steel, similar to the 1095 Cro-van that Ka-Bar is currently using. It's a good steel.
 
freedoom said:
might i recommend posting in Bernard Levine's Knife Collecting & Identification forum?

You should never take an abrasive pad to an antique like that, you probably cut the value of the knife significantly. people want to see the patina on an antique.
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Thanks freedoom, I understand what you're saying and considered it but 1. They're not really valuable to begin with and 2. I want to use it, not look at it get rotten on the wall again.

I got it to slice free hanging copy paper in one sweep last night. I just don't want to break it if it's a cheap steel and impale myself. :D
 
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