Western 742

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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Briar Rabbit
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Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2020 6:48 am

Western 742

Post by Briar Rabbit »

Don't know much about western knives yet . Just got this one over the weekend and trying to find out when it was made. Does anyone have any information. Thanks
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zzyzzogeton
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Location: In the Heart of Texas on the Blackland Prairie

Re: Western 742

Post by zzyzzogeton »

Since it does NOT have a date code letter under the 4 of 742, it was made before 1977, which started with "A"s that year.

I know a bunch of the tang stamp charts running around out there say WESTERN over USA was 1961 to 1977, but I disagree.

1977 would have an "A" under the 742 on the blade that has the model number on it. I've seen them so that blows the end date on the chart out of the water.

Narrowing the date down more will be determined by of what material the handle scales are made. Western advertised the 742 as having stag handles in the 1968 catalog and depicted the 742 as having acetyl resin stag in the 1975 catalog. Many changes occured in 1973, so most likely that would have been when the 742 shifted from stag to plastic. That's just a guess on my part based on a lot of major changes happening in 1973.

So 1973 to 1976 if acetyl resin handles and 1962 to 1972 if real stag. This assumes that WESTERN over USA really began in 1961. The actual date could be later, based on when the first new run of a model was built after the change occured on paper.

Western over BOULDER COLO would put the knife as 1954 to 1960, as 1953/1954 is the earliest date usually accepted as having model numbers.
Briar Rabbit
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2020 6:48 am

Re: Western 742

Post by Briar Rabbit »

I may be totally wrong but It looks to me that it is the acetyl resin handle scales.
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