A few western blades

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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Chub380
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A few western blades

Post by Chub380 »

These first two are both l28 they seem to be from the same era. The one sheath is original and the other is the first thing I ever made from leather
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Chub380
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Re: A few western blades

Post by Chub380 »

Here is a 628 I was surprised at how different the profile was from the l28’s
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Chub380
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Re: A few western blades

Post by Chub380 »

Here is a 648 and a l48a one in an original sheath the other in the second thing I ever made from leather
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Chub380
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Re: A few western blades

Post by Chub380 »

Here’s a couple other views of the same knives if anyone has any ideas of their age and history I would love to learn about it thank you.
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zzyzzogeton
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Location: In the Heart of Texas on the Blackland Prairie

Re: A few western blades

Post by zzyzzogeton »

This thread is an example of why I prefer to have a separate thread for each knife posted. Hopefully, I'll get the right info tagged with the corresponding knife.

The L48A and 648 are 1967/1968 to 1972, since the model numbers are on the guard and the stamp has a reference to Boulder, Colo.

The 628 is from 1973 to 1976 based on the stamp "WESTERN over USA". Reference to "Boulder, Colo", was dropped after 1972.

On the pair of L28s - I want to confirm that the guard stamp L28 on the last picture is from the 2 shown in the first picture. Are the model numbers both on the guards or does one of them have the model number on the pile side ricasso of one of them?
Chub380
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Re: A few western blades

Post by Chub380 »

It is a bit confusing and I will do them separately in the future. But yes both l28’s are identical, both have l28 stamped on the brass guard. Thank you for taking the time to look at them.
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zzyzzogeton
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Location: In the Heart of Texas on the Blackland Prairie

Re: A few western blades

Post by zzyzzogeton »

With that bit of information confirmed, the L28s are also 1967/1968 to 1972 as well.

The anomoly with the L28s of that era are that while most Western stamps changed from the 3rd line reading "MADE IN U.S.A" to simply "U.S.A." around 1961, some models retained the "MADE IN U.S.A." 3rd line until 1967/68 and the L28 retained it until, apparently, 1972.

The key to differentiating between them is the location of the model number - pile side ricasso vs guard.
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