The Western Bowie / W49 Identification Thread

[KnuckleDragger]

I have a Western Bowie with Bone Handle that I got from my Dad before he passed. I was wondering if anyone can ID it for me. I have tried and can't figure it out. Thanks.

[Surfrat]

So I picked this up today at a flea market looks like a w49 western Bowie. Trying to get a little more information about it if anyone has some insight that would be great. Would you guys restore this knife or leave it alone?

[Dan In MI]

Other than any needed cleaning and sharpening, I'd leave it alone. A fantastic find!

[Surfrat]

Thanks for the reply.. how much cleaning would you give this thing? Steel wool and oil? Polish the brass? Would you do anything to the wood handles? I still can't seem to figure out the year of manufacture

[Dan In MI]

You're welcome! I can't help with the year or manufacture, but I'm sure someone here can. As for what I'd do to it...steel wool and oil for the blade, and polish the guard. The wood might benefit from a little attention, but I don't know what product to recommend.

[Surfrat]

I was hoping someone would chime in with some info but maybe this thread is dead at this point I don't know

[1967redrider]

Other than what's posted on the first page . . .

[Aldo_Cristi]

Hello, I want to buy this Bowie, I don't know much about it, can you help me with information?

[Thomasg]

Thanks for the reply.. how much cleaning would you give this thing? Steel wool and oil? Polish the brass? Would you do anything to the wood handles? I still can't seem to figure out the year of manufacture

I believe your knife is a 1966-68. For the cleaning I would. Get a pair of case knife erasers and just go lightly over the knife with them , apply some Remington gun oil and wipe down when done .The Remington gun oil can be applied to the wood also .put some on the handle and go back a few days latter and apply some more because wood tends to dry out and you want to refresh it .

[Broddi]

Few more pics of my M year

[doglegg]

Love them.

[boykinlp]

Few more pics of my M year

Really Nice Collection! Are the stag handles original from the factory? I like nothing better than stag knife handles!

[Fred Brandt]

Hey guys. This my 1st post so thanks for looking. I have a really nice collection of Western bowies all the way from a BX-54 to a Camillus, I believe Im very close to having at least one of every version but im not sure. I recently came across what appears to be a 2nd generation 64/65 with only the Boulder, Co. stamp on the mark side and no " Bowie " on the pile side. Everything seems correct. The grind , handle and everything else are very consistanytwith this version. I put pics of it with 2 of my other knives same generation for comparison . Thanks for your help in advance.

[zzyzzogeton]

Factory fail. Someone forgot to turn it over and put the BOWIE stamp on it.