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Help Identifying a Western Fillet Knife

I was fishing in Northern Ontario last month and the water was very low, which enabled us to see and dredge up a very old looking tackle box from the bottom. Although disappointed to find there were no lures in the box, there was a fillet knife completely encased by mud in the bottom of the box. I brought it home, cleaned it up, and sharpened it and will use it in the future.

The stamp on one side reads "Western" "Stainless Steel" "U.S."A. The stamp on the other side reads "Fish Fillet" "S-W76". See pictures.

My research revealed that Western did indeed produce a fillet knife, but the model was S-W766, and the pictures I have seen online show the handle and blade are shaped slightly differently than the knife I found.

I have a couple of questions for anyone who may have knowledge of this knife.

- Is it an authentic Western brand knife?

- Any idea of the years when this knife was manufactured?

After working with the blade is very sharp and the wood handle is still solid despite being underwater, so I plan to use it. It will be fun and interesting to know more about the origins of this knife.

Thanks so much to anyone who might have information about my new (old) knife!!

regards,

Matt Wilson

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Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on September 20, 2017 at 13:46

From what I see, yes, it is an authentic model that was put out around '67-'77. They seem to be selling for between $15 - $30 on Ebay and such.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Wilson on September 20, 2017 at 13:57

Thanks for the feedback Steve. Maybe not a collector's item but fun story to tell. Its also pretty darn sharp - definitely sharp enough for the fillet table when I am in Alaska next summer for the Salmon run!!!

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Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on September 20, 2017 at 14:15

Stick a story to a knife, and it's collectable to you, at the very least! Nice find. And good work getting it looking that good after who knows how long under water.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Wilson on September 20, 2017 at 14:28

Thanks - it was surprisingly easy to get it cleaned up. Don't know what kind of wood that is, but it has only minor pitting in part of the handle. Still very hard. Also easy to get an edge on the blade. Maybe I can pass it on to one the next generation.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on September 20, 2017 at 14:48

I found lots for sale, but no actual information other than that 10 year spread. I am also far from a Western expert...lol.

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on September 20, 2017 at 16:27

Possibly

Maybe

Made by Camillus for Western

..but..

Like Steve .. I can find very little info.

NOTE: it was the S-W766 that was made by Camillus

..However..

stampings can change over the coarse of production.

just sayen'

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on September 20, 2017 at 16:38

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on September 20, 2017 at 20:02

Note pgs 7 & 33 of PDF file.

Note pgs 12 & 17 of PDF file .

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Permalink Reply by Matt Wilson on September 21, 2017 at 7:27

Thanks Dale

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on September 21, 2017 at 11:10

YES!!! and we want to see pics of it in action!

Matt Wilson said:

Thanks for the feedback Steve. Maybe not a collector's item but fun story to tell. Its also pretty darn sharp - definitely sharp enough for the fillet table when I am in Alaska next summer for the Salmon run!!!