Found this old knife out in my workshop earlier today and could use some help in identifying it. So far I know it is from western company, likely made between 1935 and 1950. The blade is about 5 inches long and 1 inch wide. The grip is made of stacked leather and has a steel guard. Also, I would appreciate it if anyone can recommend a bladesmith or knifemaker on the Louisville Kentucky area that I can get this knife repaired at, because id like to have it as an every day carry knife.
Edit** Well now that ive had time to both do some extensive research and forget i started this thread, I know what kind of knife I have. It is an L71 Seabee, made by Western Cutlery for the Navy Seabees during WWII. Originally, it had a steel baseplate, but it has either been broken off and lost or purposefully removed. Now there is just a piece of hardened leather retaining piece, which also exposes the very bottom of the tang.
This is a Google image of a restored or reproduction piece.
And this is the one I found, with most of the blade cleaned off and resharpened to the point that it can be used.
Edit** Well now that ive had time to both do some extensive research and forget i started this thread, I know what kind of knife I have. It is an L71 Seabee, made by Western Cutlery for the Navy Seabees during WWII. Originally, it had a steel baseplate, but it has either been broken off and lost or purposefully removed. Now there is just a piece of hardened leather retaining piece, which also exposes the very bottom of the tang.
This is a Google image of a restored or reproduction piece.
And this is the one I found, with most of the blade cleaned off and resharpened to the point that it can be used.
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