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Comment by Ron Cooper on February 26, 2014 at 18:22

Rocky,

Thanks for compiling this data and putting it into the chart that you've provided. I believe that it provides a fairly accurate chronology of the Western W49 Bowie. At least as far as I've been able to determine. And you are spot-on when you allude to "gray areas." Boy, I'll say! It's all kind of murky and just passed on like we are doing here. But I feel like your chart is about as accurate a depiction as one is likely to find.

Thanks for your efforts! And, especially thanks for posting it here!

Cheers, my friend!

Comment by Rocky Bowker on February 26, 2014 at 13:24

Ron,

Thanks for all the Western Bowie related info, catalog links, etc. I have been trying for some time to compile dating info and as you probably know there are some gray areas. I had put together this table that I'm going to post but not sure how it'll show up. If it is legible and anyone can fill in any blanks or dispute any of the data, I am receptive to discussion. Thanks!

Comment by Ron Cooper on December 24, 2013 at 15:10

Brad, 

There are two variations of guard marked W49's. I own one which is believed to be the 3rd variant of the Western W49 Bowie knife. It is stamped "WESTERN BOULDER / COLO. USA on one side and BOWIE on the other. It can also be identified by the smaller pins in the handle. The 4th variant, I believe, is similarly guard marked and stamped "W49" instead of Bowie, like the 3rd variant, on the pile side. The 4th variant also has larger pins.

Here is a photo showing 3 of my Western W49 Bowie knives...

 

This photo illustrates what I mean when I speak of larger pins versus smaller pins. The knife on the left is the 2nd variant of the W49 and is blade marked: WESTERN / BOWIE / USA

The knife in the middle with the larger pins and modified guard is an example of the 5th variant, c.1977. It is blade marked: WESTERN / USA / W49 with the letter "A" which signifies the first year that Western implemented the alphabetical date code (1977). It was also the last year that Western manufactured their knives in Boulder, Colorado. In 1978 the company moved to Longmont, CO.

The knife on the right in my picture above is an example of the 3rd variant. It is guard marked: WESTERN BOULDER / COLO. USA on the mark side and BOWIE on the pile side. As you can see it also has the small pins in the handle. Below are pictures of the guard:

This is the mark side...

This is the pile side...

To the best of my knowledge the 4th variant would have the larger pins and would be guard marked similar to the 3rd variant. The exception being that instead of the word Bowie on the pile side it would say "W49." I also believe that the guard marked "W49's" would have been made during the 1970's but prior to 1977 when the alphabetical date code started.

I hope this helps, Brad? I have attempted to research these Western knives, of late, and, to be honest with you, the the deeper I dig the more confused I get. Western didn't seem to keep real accurate records. At least none that I can find. So their history is rather murky, to say the least.

Here is the best that I can find as far as their tang stamping is concerned...

That's about all I know. I hope it helps? MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Comment by Brad T. on December 24, 2013 at 13:11

I was looking at my W49 last night and there is not a tang stamp. The stamping is only on the Brass guard and there are no letters denoting age. Who has the knowledge for this situation?

Comment by gerrymcclellan on December 24, 2013 at 12:25

so that means that an I would be an "84"