Western Fixed Blade Knife Question

[herder]

My grandfather's Western. He was so proud of this knife, remember him taking it hunting and fishing with us but you can see he kept it pristine. IIRC someone here advised it was produced around 1931? Not that I would ever sell it, but considering am a platinum member I believe it's ok for me to ask it's value. If I am asking in the wrong place, please don't bite my head off. Thanks.

Beautiful example, and what a great family heirloom.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

Western applied for the double tang patent in 1931.

Knives made with the double tang in late 1931 through about late 1932 or early 1933 were stamped "PAT APP'D FOR". Then, until 1934, when the actual patent was issued, knives were stamped "PAT PENDING". The earliest post-patented issued knives were stamped "PATENTED until stamps with the actual number were made.

 

[pjsjr]

These are pages from the 1960 Western catalog reprinted in H. Platts' book 'The Knife Makers Who Went West', showing the Black Beauty line's first appearance. There is a reprint of the 1959-60 catalog page but the BB doesn't not appear there. They are shown until 1978, the year the book was printed. IDK if the BB line continued after that. HTH, Preston

 

[Hickory n steel]

These are pages from the 1960 Western catalog reprinted in H. Platts' book 'The Knife Makers Who Went West', showing the Black Beauty line's first appearance. There is a reprint of the 1959-60 catalog page but the BB doesn't not appear there. They are shown until 1978, the year the book was printed. IDK if the BB line continued after that. HTH, Preston

Thanks for posting that.

 

[edbeau]

One of my favorite Western's that is not in the other pictures.

 

[winchester73]

Edbeau
I have that one except the blade is black epoxy powder coated. I bought it in mint cond. like yours. It looks like ebay average prices are about $50.00 or more now than what I gave for mine. Western knives may be the new collectible now as well as Schrade. I have a leather 66 and a rosewood. I would use the leather but so far not the rosewood.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

I say I've never seen a mid-1950s ad for BBs and what do I find on fleabay tonight but an ad from August 1956 showing 4 BB knives as being "New".

From left to right in the picture in the ad -

F48B, F48A, F66, and F39.

There is no indication of the F40 or either the F10 or F14 hatchets. So when those first came out is still in the air, but we do know they were available in 1960.

 

[edbeau]

I needed this one to complete my W series collection.

 

[Hickory n steel]

One of my favorite Western's that is not in the other pictures.

Those are just plain gorgeous, and something I'd love to own someday.

 

[edbeau]

A current picture of my W46-8 with sheath. It is a very heavy knife.

 

[winchester73]

Correction edbeau I didn't look close enough. I believe mines a w36 with the type of end cap yours has.

 

[edbeau]

I have one of those also.

 

[Chief]

@MerryMadMonk @tongueriver pics taken today of both sides. Grandpa kept it oiled then wrapped in tin foil. After retiring from the Post Office, he worked part time in a sporting goods store, probably where he got it. He took it hunting and fishing with us, but honestly only remember him using a small pocket knife or a filet knife most of the time. When he got home his precious would get a fresh coat of oil. Oil leached into the sheath, but it's fairly unused.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

John,

The Mountaineer is the 43 pattern. Your model looks to be a 643, the bone stag handle version.

Your knife was made in 1931 or early 1932 - based on the pile side ricasso stamp "PAT APPL'D FOR".

Western applied for the double tang patent in 1931. Some time in mid/late 1932 to early/mid 1933 (no specific date has ever been identified), the stamp changed to "PAT PEND" or "PAT PENDING" when Western received notice that the patent application had been approved but had not yet been issued.

The patent was actually issued in 1934 and the ricasso stamp changed to PAT'D or PATENTED. At some point in late 1934 or early 1935, Western added the actual patent number - 1,967,479 - to the stamp.

The patent number was dropped from the stamps around 1952.

The WESTERN over PAT'D or PATENTED stamps resurfaced on some WW2 versions of the G46-8.

 

[andybtruckin]

I found an F66 stuck in a wall in a backyard shed at an estate sale yesterday. The bade is rusted and the handle oxidized but it looks like it will clean up. Started googling Western knives and down the rabbit hole I went........... I'll get some pictures this weekend.