Need help identifying vintage Western Boulder Bowie knife purchased new in the 1960s

[rsax40tc]

Hello everyone,
I'm hoping some Western experts can help identify a Bowie knife that belonged to my father.
Known details:
• Marked "WESTERN BOULDER, COLO. USA" on one side of the ricasso.
• Marked simply "BOWIE" on the opposite side.
• No other markings or stamps anywhere on the knife.
• No markings on the spine, guard, pommel, or sheath.
• Original leather sheath appears unmarked as well.
• My father purchased the knife new sometime during the 1960s.
Measurements:
• Overall length: 14 3/4 inches
• Blade length: 9 3/8 inches
• Blade width: 2 1/8 inches
• Blade thickness at guard/spine: 3/16 inch
• Knife weight (without sheath): 19.27 ounces
Construction details:
• Brass guard
• Hardwood scales with brass pins
• Bird's-head style pommel
• Heavy leather sheath with retention strap
The knife does not appear to match the common Western W49 Bowie pattern and I have not been able to locate a model number anywhere on it.
I'm primarily trying to determine:
1. Exact model designation (if any)
2. Approximate production years
3. Whether this was a catalog model, special run, or commemorative piece
4. Current collector value
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

[Mumbleypeg]

Someone may see this and answer, but most of what you're asking is answered here in the Western Cutlery Collector's forum. https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... hp?t=54880

Welcome to AAPK.

Ken

[zzyzzogeton]

1964 version. First version made after WW2. Based on the Western Bx54, which was an authorized clone of the Collins #18 Pequeno Machete that was in Army Air Corps and USN aircraft that were flying over jungle / wilderness areas from the late 1930s through the early 1940s, until it was replaced by the true Case V-44 fixed blade machetes.

Mistakenly called a V-44. Only the Case V-44 is a V-44. The knives called V-44s that look like this Bowie knife and made by Case, Western and Kinfolks were all clones of the Collins #18.

Oh, and V-44 was never a government designation. V-44 came from an internal designation on the Case blue print for its "new" fixed blade machete.

[Gunsil]

I believe the OP knife is an a later sheath than the knife originally came in.