Western 932

[kootenay joe]

This is a big Double End Jack at 6" closed. It reminds me of the WW II Colonial pilot escape knife (not it's official name). But by markings this one is 1960's or 70's i think. I have a sheath that came with it and is a good fit but i don't know if it is the original. The clip blade has a liner lock that holds the blade solidly in place when open.
Was this produced for the U.S. military use or strictly a civilian knife ? It is not common. If there is a Western collector who can give a bit of the history of the 932 that would be an interesting read.
kj

[knife7knut]

Nice one Roland! I always wanted to get one of those but they were too much money at the time.If I recall correctly they were about $60 new. I don't believe they were made for the military but they are very similar in design to the Colonial and United raft knives.

[kootenay joe]

Thanks Ray. So 1960's or '70's ?
kj

[thefarside]

Roland,
Some of the older Western advertising called them camp and/or survival knives. Never made for the military and I believe I have owned them with Western Boulder stamps and Western USA stamps. That is the correct sheath.

[knife7knut]

Thanks Ray. So 1960's or '70's ?
kj

I first saw them in the 1970's but they may have been made before that.I've handled them before and that is one hand full of knife!

[kootenay joe]

Thank you both for your helpful posts. We see it as neat knife but it obviously did not sell well. It would have been a good choice for camping.
kj

[zzyzzogeton]

The 932 came out for sure in 1968, possibly earlier; it is in the 1968 catalog reprints in TKMWWW, depicted as the 932K, as it is advertised as coming in a "kit", hence the "K". The kit was a clear plastic "utility" box containing the knife, sheath, sharpening stone w/ leather slip sheath, and a tube of lubricant.

Edit to add - the 932K was advertised as the "RANGER "Knife and Saw" "

I suspect that the knife was also available as a stand-alone purchase, but it is not so advertised.

By 1978, the knife is advertised as just the knife and sheath, the 932.

Based on these 2 catalog dates, there should be 3 possible ricasso stamps-

The 1968 (or earlier) to 1972 knives will include "BOULDER COLO" as part of the stamp.

1973 to 1976 knives will have "USA" rather than "BOULDER COLO"

Knives made between 1977 and until whenever they ceased making them should have date stamps as part of the stamp.

The stamp on this knife puts it as in the 1973 to 1976 range.

[Colonel26]

Beautiful old Western. I always liked the looks of those. Interesting knives.

[Miller Bro's]

Photos of the complete kit.

[thefarside]

Dimitri,
The kit is very cool, nicest one I have ever seen. I also like the fullers on the older model.
Jim

[wlf]

Nice one Roland.

Dimitri as usual.

[Colonel26]

Photos of the complete kit.

Now that mashes my buttons right there. I’ve never seen a set like that. Extra nice!

[kootenay joe]

The complete kit ! And in perfect condition & all there, nothing missing. There cannot be a better example of the 932 and maybe not even another one comparable.
D. when you get your knife rooms organized please sell tickets for Sunday Tours. I'll be there.
D. are the handles the same as mine ? jigged synthetic that resembles bone ?
I did have another one but it had black 'plastic' handles, not as attractive as the jigged brown.
kj

[zzyzzogeton]

The plastic handles on all Western knives after 1960 are Delrin. Delrin came out in 1960 and Western was one of the first, if not THE first company to use it for knife handles. This is also when Western dropped stag and bone as handle materials, going exclusively with Delrin for use as artifical bone or stag.

Any Western with a handle indicator letter of "6", e.g., 628, 666, 639 648A, 648B, 649, after 1960 means Delrin. For some reason, "9" also was used to represent Delrin.

[Miller Bro's]

Thanks guys but those sets are not mine!

I found the pictures on the web so others could see what the complete set looks like

[kootenay joe]

Delrin was developed by Dupont at the request of Albert Baer. Took 4 years for Dupont to get a formula that fulfilled criteria as specified by Baer. It had to be stable, including heat stable, not slippy when wet and be able to be milled. The first Delrin was used by Schrade-Walden in 1960 but within a year had been adopted by most knife manufacturers.
This is based on research by M. Little (Codger) and posted in Schrade forum at BF. Codger is quite a thorough researcher so what he posts is usually accurate.
kj

[zzyzzogeton]

Good to know. Since I don't collect Schrade anything, I've never gone into that forum.