Approx age of 652 Boulder,colo Western

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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terryl308
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Approx age of 652 Boulder,colo Western

Post by terryl308 »

Just got this little Western 652 and was wondering about what age it is. I have Harvey Platts book but the tang stamp is not quite the same as he lists. It has "Western" on the top line, "Boulder" on the 2nd line and "Colo.U.S.A. on the bottom line. I believe it has a delrin jigged handle. thanks in advance. Terry
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jerryd6818
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Re: Approx age of 652 Boulder,colo Western

Post by jerryd6818 »

I can get you within 20 years or so. Delrin handles make it after Dupont opened their Delrin plant in 1960. (An important date to remember when dating some knives) Give Delrin a few years to catch on with the knife companies so say 1965-1970 as a start date. Western sold out to Coleman in 1984 so I'm going to say your knife is somewhere between those years.
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Re: Approx age of 652 Boulder,colo Western

Post by zzyzzogeton »

Western was one of the first cutlers to adopt Delrin as a knife handle material.

Western replaced the use of stag and bone with Delrin in 1961 and dropped references to Boulder Colo in the stamps between the 1972 and 1973 model years.

So 1961 to 1972 on this one.
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