Bowie with markings on Guard only?

In 1911, H. N. Platts, was able to draw on his extensive friendships and family connections in the cutlery world to start Western States Cutlery and Manufacturing of Boulder Colorado. At first only a jobbing business, by 1920 construction and machinery purchases were underway to begin manufacture of knives. Through name changes--to Western States Cutlery Co. in 1953, then Western Cutlery Co. in 1956--and moves first across town and later to Longmont Colorado, the company stayed under the leadership of the Platt family until 1984. In that year, the company was sold to Coleman, becoming Coleman-Western. Eventually purchased by Camillus in 1991, Western continued until Camillus expired in 2007.
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Benandgigi
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2019 5:23 pm

Bowie with markings on Guard only?

Post by Benandgigi »

Hello! First time posting! I have a Bowie knife that I can’t seem to date even after spending a lot of time trying so hopefully someone can point me in the right direction. I’ve attached pictures. It only has markings on the guard, none on the blade like most I see. I also haven’t seen a handle like this so I am wondering if it is not original? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
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B60D1201-6EEE-4175-A732-DFED46EFCF66.jpeg
265DAA34-E6FB-4902-8928-888FC1B8AF27.jpeg
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zzyzzogeton
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Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:47 pm
Location: In the Heart of Texas on the Blackland Prairie

Re: Bowie with markings on Guard only?

Post by zzyzzogeton »

1967 to early 1968, 3rd post-WW2 version. Most were made with wood handles, but there was a small run with the white (Delrin?) handles.

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Benandgigi
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2019 5:23 pm

Re: Bowie with markings on Guard only?

Post by Benandgigi »

Thank you so much! The white handle was throwing me off so it is good to know it is actually original to the knife. Since it is a more rare handle does it increase the value you think?
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zzyzzogeton
Posts: 1717
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:47 pm
Location: In the Heart of Texas on the Blackland Prairie

Re: Bowie with markings on Guard only?

Post by zzyzzogeton »

That depends. It depends on who is looking to buy it.

Rare does not always mean valuable. Valuable means many folks want it. Rare simply means "not very many of them".

There are so few of them, relatively, that an actual price comparison on fleabay will most likely be fruitless.
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