Western Bowie Colorado With Sheath

T

Tommyburek

Joined
Nov 18, 2018
Messages
3
Hi everyone,
As a preface, it seems A LOT of people come here asking questions regarding this Bowie, however they seemed to all be slightly different.(Wrote this portion after I wrote the rest so it's redundant, but wanted you all to know that I looked around before asking)
I've had this Bowie knife for a handful of years now. My Grandmother had it and said it was my Grandfather's. I've looked around the internet and found many similar but not that had the writing on the brass guard, most I saw had the writing on the blade itself. I have come here to take advantage of everyone's knowledge in hope I could get some info on this Bowie! Thank you!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xFthVs9BuLHZXtja6

There is some images regarding the blade, however it is just a link to my Google photos. If there is a different way that I need to upload the pictures please let me know!
 
Hey, welcome to the forum. Nice knife.

I've got some Western knives, and dating them can be tricky. In 1977 Western started adding a date code to most of their knives, so I would guess that your knife is earlier than that.

Here's a pretty comprehensive rundown on Western Bowies, take a look at the third post, it sounds a lot like your knife.

https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_forum/viewtopic.php?t=54880

As for the rest, yes it has value. I couldn't begin to tell you how much because 1) I haven't got a clue, and 2) forum rules prohibit discussing specific dollar amounts unless both parties are paying members.
 
dsutton24 dsutton24 , thank you for the info! It looks like that is exactly what I'm looking for, in terms of figuring out a dollar amount, what type of appraiser should I look for? A knife appraiser?
 
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Some info I have copied from the internet as I am a fan of the early models, of which yours is one.

The earliest Western Bowie will be marked on the blade : "Western Boulder, Colo. USA" (on one side) and "Bowie" on the other side.

Next one will be marked "Western Bowie USA" (on one side of the blade). these are Vietnam era.

Next you will find: "Western Boulder Colo USA" (on guard, one side) then "Bowie" (on other side of guard).

Next one "Western USA" (on guard) and "W49" (on guard).

After 1977 they will be blade marked again and have a letter under the Western logo.

The early model knives have three small pins holding the handle on; later ones have three large rivets.

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Hope this helps; there is more info available if you search for it. :):):)
 
When I was a kid, these were the king sized blades in the showcases of outfitters like Mel Cotton's in San Jose. I wanted one sooo badly, but no only was it too expensive and my parents wouldn't have permitted it, but it would have been like 'Sting' to Bilbo Baggins.

So you have my childhood dream knife. Enjoy it and read as much as you can. Keep it out of the sheath for storage and you'll avoid staining it. Let the brass do its thing and put a little beeswax or mineral oil or both on the grips once or twice a year.

Zieg
 
There are some neat modifications for those out there. I think Bill Bagwell posted one somewhere.--KV
 
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