Another rehandled Western falsely advertised as "mint"

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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zzyzzogeton
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Location: In the Heart of Texas on the Blackland Prairie

Another rehandled Western falsely advertised as "mint"

Post by zzyzzogeton »

Here's another "false flag" vintage Western fixed blade that has been rehandled and advertised as "mint".

12491

As you can see, the sheath has a few stains, scuff marks, scratches, bend cracks on the retainer strap, etc. Definitely used. Also, Western NEVER used Delrin in any color other than "faux stag" after to shifting to Delrin from phenolic plastic in 1961. And this yellow is way too vibrant to have Western's yellow plastic from the 1940s and 1950s, so it falls into the my catgeory of "false flag" - never a real Western factory or "custom shop" option.

And here is the ricasso stamp --
12492

Note the faded appearance of the word WESTERN in the stamp - an obvious sign of being buffed.

Here, another angle of the stamp on this knife appears to not be buffed down, but does have the "vertical streaking" above the stamp letters indicating that buffing has been done.
12493

This thread is posted up as another example of "false mint rehandling". The fleabay advertised price is $550, which, IMO, is WAY overpriced for a "false flag rehandle".

One side note - for some reason, the 1973 to 1976 48-6s never had a model number on the guard or the ricasso.
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tongueriver
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Re: Another rehandled Western falsely advertised as "mint"

Post by tongueriver »

Thanks, ZZ; you're 'tops.'
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Beavertail
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Location: Way down south in Dixie

Re: Another rehandled Western falsely advertised as "mint"

Post by Beavertail »

tongueriver wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:51 pm Thanks, ZZ; you're 'tops.'
I see what you did there. :lol:
Tim
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