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Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on November 5, 2017 at 15:08

Heya Mark!

Up at the *very* top of the page is a search field in the top right corner. If you type in Western Bowie, you'll come up with a ton of photos, comments and info on these knives. Just snooping now. If you jump into the Chat, I can send you some links to stuff.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on November 5, 2017 at 15:11

There is a dating code on those, I believe. Is there a letter stamped into the tang anywhere?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on November 5, 2017 at 15:28

Here is a chat we had a while ago. This may help with what you are looking for. Click HERE!

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Permalink Reply by Mark Gibbs on November 5, 2017 at 15:31

Thanks for the info Manx.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on November 11, 2017 at 9:02

I did check with one of our Western Bowie collectors and found the answer right here.  He also sent me an email

The gentleman's knife according to my research would be a 3rd variant produced between 1974 and 1977. It's a beautiful knife and would probably fetch somewhere between one and two hundred dollars. That would be my best guess.

Here's a link to what I posted in 2013: http://iknifecollector.com/photo/bowie-trio-5

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Permalink Reply by Mark Gibbs on November 12, 2017 at 20:10

Thanks for the information Jan.

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Permalink Reply by Wayne Zieschang on April 16, 2018 at 21:15

The OP's knife is a 3rd post-WW2 Bowie variant, but the dates of production are 1968 to 1972.

Western shifted the stamps from the ricasso to the guard starting in 1968 and dropped reference to Boulder, Colo in its stamps starting with the 1973 model year.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Gibbs on April 17, 2018 at 3:20

Thanks for the production dates Wayne.

Wayne Zieschang said:

The OP's knife is a 3rd post-WW2 Bowie variant, but the dates of production are 1968 to 1972.

Western shifted the stamps from the ricasso to the guard starting in 1968 and dropped reference to Boulder, Colo in its stamps starting with the 1973 model year.

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Permalink Reply by Wayne Zieschang on April 17, 2018 at 9:50

Mark, I forgot to answer one of your other questions - steel type.

Western's HC steel was a 1095CV formula, very similar to Kabar's current 1095CV and Camillus' 017-6C.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Gibbs on April 17, 2018 at 13:22

Wayne you have been very helpful with your information on this bowie.

Wayne Zieschang said:

Mark, I forgot to answer one of your other questions - steel type.

Western's HC steel was a 1095CV formula, very similar to Kabar's current 1095CV and Camillus' 017-6C.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on April 17, 2018 at 19:45

WOW!  Wayne...Great info, Thank you!

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