Let's see your good old basic fixed blades, Bowie's, Stickers, etc.

[joeradza]

For killing or carving?

Carving. Not much hunting in Great Neck, NY.

 

[screened porch]

This one puzzles me (just got it yesterday at an antique mall).

It's the horizontal one in this picture, the vertical one being my old BSA knife (ca 1970).
Short version is, does anybody know how old it is? Carbon steel, solid tang with one pin, closed leather and fiber washers. The sheath looks newer to me, but then I've seen Camillus era Westerns with fold-over sheathes like my BSA sheath.

I've seen old Westerns with solid tangs and closed washers. A couple of them were demonstrations of why Western invented the forked tang and H-washers. I've seen Camillus era stainless Westerns with the closed washers on the solid tangs. I've never seen this model with a solid tang.
So, as I said, I'm puzzled. Nice knife, though.

 

[black mamba]

Jer, as far as I know, the tang stamp puts it between 1961 and 1978. Continued research may narrow it down further.

 

[screened porch]

Jer, as far as I know, the tang stamp puts it between 1961 and 1978. Continued research may narrow it down further.

Interesting. Thanks for the starting point. It's definitely carbon, still shiny because it still has a lot of the clear lacquer on the blade that they used to ship with.

 

[black mamba]

For reference, this one of mine was made in 1984, and yours is definitely older.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

Western shifted to guard stamping their knives in 1968 in most cases*. They dropped "Boulder Colo" from the stamps starting in 1973. They added the year codes in 1977 and moved the model number stamps back to the blade.

So that would put this knife between 1973 and 1976.

For some reason, Western dropped the double tang construction on the L66 with the other 1973 changes. To my knowledge, the L66 is the only model that they dropped the double tang construction on.

* - I say 1968 in most cases. All documented info says that 1968 was the first year guard stamping of model numbers. The problem with that "general information" is that at least 3 individuals of good character have told me that they were given guard stamped L39s in the late 1958-1959 that were "purchased" by their parents by redeeming S&H Green Stamps.

So.....

 

[zzyzzogeton]

scrteenedporch - Your BSA L66 - what is the BSA stamp on the other side? Tenderfoot badge or First Class badge?

 

[zzyzzogeton]

black mamba -

The problem with referring to that Western tang stamp chart that is floating around the internet, who ever compiled it did not really research the stamps well, nor did they verify what they had been "told". Also, new info has come to light since the chart was compiled. The stamps were used, the years indicated are kinda mostly right, but with errors.

Fixed blade stamps and folder stamps did not always match during a specific period of years. What was used for folders during a specific period was not the same stamp used on FBs. Also, sometimes stamps would get recycled.

Sometimes the info is both right and wrong. An example of this is the "recycled" WESTCUT stamp. It is frequently stated that this stamp was only used on "low end knives". This is true for the folders it was used on. It was kinda true for the K-series knives of the late 1950s. They were well made and only slightly less expensive. The pre-WW2 WESTCUT knives were high quality knives.

Sometimes, knives would sit around in stores long enough for stamps to be superceded by a new stamp but not get sold for a year or two or more, resulting in the "end year" being stretched out based on a sales receipt. An example of this is the Delrin handled, stainless steel S-649. There was a single run of them made in 1968. They were still available in stores at least until 1972 - I have one still NIB with the receipt dated 1972. I've seen them listed as 1968 to 1972 for dates of manufacture, but that is range of sales dates rather than manufacturing range.

 

[dc50]

A few little Scandi's mostly carried by Children or for a small backup.

 

[Travman]

 

[screened porch]

So that would put this knife between 1973 and 1976.

For some reason, Western dropped the double tang construction on the L66 with the other 1973 changes. To my knowledge, the L66 is the only model that they dropped the double tang construction on.

scrteenedporch - Your BSA L66 - what is the BSA stamp on the other side? Tenderfoot badge or First Class badge?

Thanks for the interest and the info.
I'll check on that BSA stamp.

I need to clean this poor thing.

If it's my brother's it might be a mid-sixties purchase.

 

[veitsi_poika]

My latest Marble's addition...

 

[zzyzzogeton]

Thanks for the interest and the info.
I'll check on that BSA stamp.

I need to clean this poor thing.

If it's my brother's it might be a mid-sixties purchase.

The Tenderfoot stamp puts it post-1960. The BSA changed all official stamps/marks on products from the 1st class rank badge to the Tenderfoot rank badge. Probably one of the earliest examples of PC "all-inclusiveness" BS - the reasoning was "some kids weren't buying stuff because they were not yet a 1st class scout.

The WESTERN over USA on the guard says post-1968. Exposed tang on an L66 says pre-1973, so it was made between 1968 and 1972.

 

[Misplaced Hillbilly]

Nothing vintage, but actually pretty good knife. No chance to really use it yet. Taylor/BTI Bowie, 10 inch blade.

 

[Jsega51]

That’s a beast!

 

[Hickory n steel]

I've posted my f48a here before, but that picture is probably long gone and i made a new sheath for it today.

I looked for some yellowish waxed thread because I kind of wanted this to resemble it's original jet black sheath but. I couldn't find it so I just scrapped that idea and figured using black leather would be good enough.

 

[screened porch]

The Tenderfoot stamp puts it post-1960. The BSA changed all official stamps/marks on products from the 1st class rank badge to the Tenderfoot rank badge. Probably one of the earliest examples of PC "all-inclusiveness" BS - the reasoning was "some kids weren't buying stuff because they were not yet a 1st class scout.

The WESTERN over USA on the guard says post-1968. Exposed tang on an L66 says pre-1973, so it was made between 1968 and 1972.

Maybe that is my knife.
At one point I recognized my brother's knife as mine because I had tried to sand the colors out of the handle of mine to make it look less effete and more antique. He didn't want to trade back, because he had just the edge on mine that he wanted for his whittling.

I figured BSA were selling the tenderfoot knife first so you'd want to buy a first class knife later.
Funny, because who needs to be reminded to be prepared, the tenderfoot or the first class?

Anyway, I'll have to write this stuff down. Thanks again.

 

[black mamba]

Kevin, that's a gorgeous Woodcraft you have there!

 

[zzyzzogeton]

I've posted my f48a here before, but that picture is probably long gone and i made a new shesth for it today.

I looked for some yellowish waxed thread because I kind of wanted this to resemble it's original jet black sheath but. I couldn't find it so I just scrapped that idea and figured using black leather would be good enough.

KJ - Another 1968 to 1972 Western. Really nice condition. The serrations on the spine are after market, since Western only put factory serrations on 1 non-fishknife knife (I don't consider the flat jimping on the 39 and 40 to be REAL serrations designed for cutting any thing).

That was the 1959 L77A. The 1959 L77/677 (bone) /L77A were 5" knives with full S-guards. Kinda like a K1 with an S-guard. The serrations on the L77A were advertised as being great for cutting small limbs. My 77s are hiding in a box somewhere out in the shop. Gotta dig those out as well.

Rarely did Western reuse model numbers for different knives, but the 77 was one of those.

The 77 first appeared in 1941 as the L77 (leather), 577 (buckhorn) and the 277 (composite plastic aka celluloid).

The in WW2, the L77 became 7 inch bladed "fighting knife", with a flat full guard.

The model number was "retired" until 1959, when original style 77 came out.

Just one of those weird tidbits of trivia about Western knives I collect.

 

[Hickory n steel]

KJ - Another 1968 to 1972 Western. Really nice condition. The serrations on the spine are after market, since Western only put factory serrations on 1 non-fishknife knife (I don't consider the flat jimping on the 39 and 40 to be REAL serrations designed for cutting any thing).

That was the 1959 L77A. The 1959 L77/677 (bone) /L77A were 5" knives with full S-guards. Kinda like a K1 with an S-guard. The serrations on the L77A were advertised as being great for cutting small limbs. My 77s are hiding in a box somewhere out in the shop. Gotta dig those out as well.

Rarely did Western reuse model numbers for different knives, but the 77 was one of those.

The 77 first appeared in 1941 as the L77 (leather), 577 (buckhorn) and the 277 (composite plastic aka celluloid).

The in WW2, the L77 became 7 inch bladed "fighting knife", with a flat full guard.

The model number was "retired" until 1959, when original style 77 came out.

Just one of those weird tidbits of trivia about Western knives I collect.

Oh, the jumping was added by me a while ago.
The knife was given to me as a kid and was slightly bent and had some recurve to the edge.
I straightened it out and fixed the edge a couple years ago or so.

I love the knife but I have been looking to acquire a more attractive L48a or 648a in decent condition ( carbon blade of course )
As long as it's not damaged or over sharpened I'd be happy, I don't even need a sheath because I can and would need to make one lefty anyways.

It would be so much easier if I used eBay, but I don't.