All About Pocket Knives

I recently picked this up as part of a collection.

Western USA Stainless, W244 tiny stock knife.

What is unusual is that the handles are not Delrin and are not pinned - they appear to be jade.

My first thought was that it is a post factory rehandle - but note the tang stamp with "J" in a circle.

Wondering if this may have been some sort of special factory run with jade handles?

It's a rehandle job. The W244s and other wood handled folders of the Western-Coleman era had resin impregnated wood handles,with big rivets.

I was gonna post a picture of the original configuration, but I'm not able to post pics right now for some reason.

zzyzzogeton wrote: ↑Fri Sep 03, 2021 8:18 pm It's a rehandle job. The W244s and other wood handled folders of the Western-Coleman era had resin impregnated wood handles,with big rivets.

I was gonna post a picture of the original configuration, but I'm not able to post pics right now for some reason.

Thanks, Yes I know the standard...but what does the "J" on the tang stamp indicate?

I would think it stands for 1988. The date stamps started with A in 1978, the B in 1979, etc….

But I don’t normally see the year code in a circle. So…..

knifeaholic wrote: ↑Fri Sep 03, 2021 9:09 pm but what does the "J" on the tang stamp indicate?

Steve:

This doesn't actually answer your question but it could lead you to the answer. Check out the last post and follow the link. That Stockman has a letter "J" on it.viewtopic.php?t=43851

___________
Mike

For whatever reason, Coleman-Western decided to use a Circle I and a Circle J for 1985 and 1986. For 1987-1991, K, L, M and N and O, the circle was dropped.

I asked an online friend who worked at Western from the mid-70s to the Camillus purchase who said the Circle I and Circle J stamp was something that Coleman corporate implemented and then cancelled. He has no clue as to why they implemented the Circle and even less clue as to why they dropped it.

Thank you for the replies everyone, much appreciated!