The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

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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Surfrat
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by Surfrat »

So I picked this up today at a flea market looks like a w49 western Bowie. Trying to get a little more information about it if anyone has some insight that would be great. Would you guys restore this knife or leave it alone?
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Dan In MI
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by Dan In MI »

Other than any needed cleaning and sharpening, I'd leave it alone. A fantastic find! ::tu::
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Surfrat
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by Surfrat »

Thanks for the reply.. how much cleaning would you give this thing? Steel wool and oil? Polish the brass? Would you do anything to the wood handles? I still can't seem to figure out the year of manufacture
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Dan In MI
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by Dan In MI »

You're welcome! I can't help with the year or manufacture, but I'm sure someone here can. As for what I'd do to it...steel wool and oil for the blade, and polish the guard. The wood might benefit from a little attention, but I don't know what product to recommend.
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Surfrat
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by Surfrat »

I was hoping someone would chime in with some info but maybe this thread is dead at this point I don't know
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1967redrider
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by 1967redrider »

Other than what's posted on the first page . . . ::shrug::
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter

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Aldo_Cristi
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by Aldo_Cristi »

Hello, I want to buy this Bowie, I don't know much about it, can you help me with information?
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Thomasg
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by Thomasg »

Surfrat wrote: ↑Sun May 07, 2023 2:07 pm Thanks for the reply.. how much cleaning would you give this thing? Steel wool and oil? Polish the brass? Would you do anything to the wood handles? I still can't seem to figure out the year of manufacture
I believe your knife is a 1966-68. For the cleaning I would. Get a pair of case knife erasers and just go lightly over the knife with them , apply some Remington gun oil and wipe down when done .The Remington gun oil can be applied to the wood also .put some on the handle and go back a few days latter and apply some more because wood tends to dry out and you want to refresh it .
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Broddi
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by Broddi »

Broddi wrote: ↑Wed Mar 23, 2022 3:33 am Few more pics of my M year
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doglegg
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by doglegg »

Love them.
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boykinlp
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by boykinlp »

Broddi wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 10:12 am
Broddi wrote: ↑Wed Mar 23, 2022 3:33 am Few more pics of my M year
Really Nice Collection! Are the stag handles original from the factory? I like nothing better than stag knife handles!
Larry

Each one, teach one.
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Fred Brandt
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by Fred Brandt »

Hey guys. This my 1st post so thanks for looking. I have a really nice collection of Western bowies all the way from a BX-54 to a Camillus, I believe Im very close to having at least one of every version but im not sure. I recently came across what appears to be a 2nd generation 64/65 with only the Boulder, Co. stamp on the mark side and no " Bowie " on the pile side. Everything seems correct. The grind , handle and everything else are very consistanytwith this version. I put pics of it with 2 of my other knives same generation for comparison . Thanks for your help in advance.
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zzyzzogeton
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by zzyzzogeton »

Factory fail. Someone forgot to turn it over and put the BOWIE stamp on it.
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Broddi
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by Broddi »

Some is mine
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Miller Bro's
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by Miller Bro's »

Broddi wrote: ↑Sun Jan 04, 2026 8:59 amSome is mine
::tu:: ::tu::
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btrwtr
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by btrwtr »

Impressive lot there Broddi! Are W49s your specialty?
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1967redrider
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by 1967redrider »

Broddi wrote: ↑Sun Jan 04, 2026 8:59 amSome is mine
Awesome group! You're ready for some serious SHTF situations. ::rotflol::
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter

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edge213
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by edge213 »

Broddi wrote: ↑Sun Jan 04, 2026 8:59 amSome is mine
::tu:: ::tu::
David
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Don L59
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Re: The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

Post by Don L59 »

Wow! Now this is an informative post. Now I can figure out the 3 Western W-49’s I have.
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