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Need help with age of this Western
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2023 2:14 am
by CarMan
I’m trying to figure out age of my Western Boulder Colorado fixed blade. I have looked at there tang stamps but can’t find an exact match. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you & keep looking up.
Re: Need help with age of this Western
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2023 2:54 am
by dsutton24
There aren't a lot of hard and fast rules when it comes to dating Western knives. The model number being stamped on the guard started in the mid 1960s on some knives. Western moved to Longmont in 1978, and it seems that 'Boulder' was dropped from their tang stamps sometime before that, so maybe 1965 - 1975, roughly.
Knife makers are notorious for not throwing anything away, or for discovering parts in a dark, forgotten corner, and Western is no different. It's possible that the knife is newer than the mid 70s, but I doubt it.
Re: Need help with age of this Western
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2023 3:23 am
by zzyzzogeton
1967 to 1972.
Guard stamping began in 1967 (and ended in 1976).
BOULDER, COLO. was dropped from the stamp in 1973. Western had bought the new property in Longmont in 1972 and BOULDER,COLO. was dropped in anticipation of the move, which occured in 1978.
Re: Need help with age of this Western
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2023 3:37 am
by CarMan
zzyzzogeton wrote: ↑Wed Feb 22, 2023 3:23 am
1967 to 1972.
Guard stamping began in 1967 (and ended in 1976).
BOULDER, COLO. was dropped from the stamp in 1973. Western had bought the new property in Longmont in 1972 and BOULDER,COLO. was dropped in anticipation of the move, which occured in 1978.
So, would 1967-72 be correct? Thank you for help.
Re: Need help with age of this Western
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2023 3:38 am
by CarMan
dsutton24 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 22, 2023 2:54 am
There aren't a lot of hard and fast rules when it comes to dating Western knives. The model number being stamped on the guard started in the mid 1960s on some knives. Western moved to Longmont in 1978, and it seems that 'Boulder' was dropped from their tang stamps sometime before that, so maybe 1965 - 1975, roughly.
Knife makers are notorious for not throwing anything away, or for discovering parts in a dark, forgotten corner, and Western is no different. It's possible that the knife is newer than the mid 70s, but I doubt it.
I have seen where case used parts from different years. So this would make sense. Thank you