Western USA Christmas Tree Handles

[DMLEATH]

Good day to all! This is a little over 5”. It looks like it from research this tang stamp would be 1961-1977. I can’t find much info on these handles. Pattern number 062

[zzyzzogeton]

I'm thinking at some point the handles were replaced.

From 1936, when the 06 pattern was introduced as the 6206 through the 1982 catalog, most advertised 06s had a oval shield on the mark side handle. The only ones that did not have a shield had bone stag handles AND a bail hole in the pommel bolster. The advertised handles were stag (5206), bone stag (6206), or composition pearl (2206).

The knife is definitely post-1955 as that is when Western started putting model numbers on the pile side of the primary blade. The 1959-1960 062s had a lanyard hole and a shield or just a shield. From 1967 onward, no lanyard hole. The lanyard hole could have been dropped at any time between 1962 and 1967.

[DMLEATH]

Good info! This is not my knife but I have it in hand. It is an older friend of mine and he doesn’t use internet. He does have a lot of knives and seemed to think this is a rare one. I will let him know it is possible that it has been rehandled. I appreciate your response and sharing your knowledge!

[DMLEATH]

It does seem to be in near mint/mint range on condition

[tongueriver]

The partial images seem to show blade loss.

[Mumbleypeg]

The partial images seem to show blade loss.

Agree, blades appear to have loss due to past sharpening. It looks like the blades have been buffed to a “shiny” appearance. Not to be mis-characterized as mint to near-mint.

Ken

[DMLEATH]

Thanks for pointing that out! Looking closer it looks like it has some blade loss