WWII Shark?

[Leo7504]

I’ve had this knife for about 8 years but it’s been stored and looking at the posts on this site caused me to pull it out and post this question. I assumed it was newer because the leather is in such great shape as is the blade, but could it be a WW II knife?

[zzyzzogeton]

Stamp, guard and sheath are period correct for WW2 era.

I doubt it was ever issued to a GI due to its condition.

It may have been a late war PX purchase or a post-war PX purchase or a post-war surplus purchase. Like all the other cutlery companies of the era, Western was left holding the bag on government purchase orders when the war abruptly ended in August 46. I'd bet that most late 1945/1946 civilian purchase from any company were canceled contract knives.

[Leo7504]

zzyzzogeton,

I see your response to an earlier post that Pat’d Made in USA dates the Westco knife from 1948-1953 does that also hold true for a Western Baby Shark?

[zzyzzogeton]

Yes, it does.

Anything with USA in any fashion in a Western stamp is post-WW2.

Any reference to the bifurcated tang patent is 1953/1954 or earlier. The reason for the wishy-washy 1953/1954 is that 1953 is when the patent ran out
but we don't know for certain when the last 1953 blanks were used up - either in 1953 or 1954, depending on models, and we haven't found any old records listing when what models were made and in what quantities.

Using those two dates as bookends puts the "PAT'D. MADE IN U.S.A." stamp between those dates.

[Leo7504]

Thanks for your input, that clears it up.