Western W49 - is it real?

[BigAl62]

I bought this Western Bowie about a year ago. I recently pulled it out and started looking closely. First, I know it's been re-handled which bothered me some but I considered it to be "it is what it is." The blade is so shiny, I could shave while looking in it. . . if I shaved, that is. My office's acoustical ceiling grid is what you see reflected in the blade. So now I'm wondering: if this nearly 60 year old knife blade is so nice, why did it have to be re-handled? I guess it could have been dropped and cracked the handle maybe?

Could this be a case where someone had an old Version 4 knife that was a goner. . . pulled off the crossguard and buffed up the brass and stuck it on a new Pakistani D2 bowie knife blade and then put on a new handle?

[zzyzzogeton]

Why do you think it's been rehandled?

[BigAl62]

The color seems way off. I’ve got another (Version 3) headed my way. I want to compare grain too. This one looks like red oak to me.

That and the fact that Gunsil said so over on another blade forum. . Last post on the link below.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/wes ... 9.1974547/

[zzyzzogeton]

Looking at the pics on that other forum, it does look like the handle has been replaced.

The wood on some of the version 1/2 W49s are a lighter color than what was used later, but even those were a different color than this one.

[BigAl62]

Probably looks darker here because I turned the lights off for the pictures. They were reflecting in the blade. When I took those other pics back in February last year, I probably had the lights on.

When the new (1966/1967) one arrives, I’ll post some side-by-side pics.


Alan

[BigAl62]

Finally got my "comparables" in hand.

Left - Version 3, ricasso stamped, WESTERN over BOWIE over U.S.A.
Center - Version 10, date code "I" Coleman-Western 1985
Right - Version 4, guard stamped, (the knife in question)

Using simple calipers (I.e. not a micrometer) the handle thickness measured at the middle rivet:

Left - 1-3/16"
Middle - 1-1/4"
Right - 1-1/8"

The blade thickness is very similar. . . again, no micrometer. But the blade profile is slightly different. The "point of beginning" (for lack of a more precise term) of the swedge in the Version 4 (right-hand knife) look slightly different.

The brass guard in the 2 older knives is visibly thicker than the 1985 Coleman-Western.

Alan

[OLDE CUTLER]

Sorry, nothing to do with your knives, but every time I see a W49 I cringe at remembering my brother in law, in the late 1970s pulling a W49 from his belt sheath and throwing it trying to stick it in a tree. Then the sight of 2 pieces going in opposite directions as the blade snapped off right at the guard.

[Ironhand55]

I just got this. It looks way too nice. Only has the one stamp at the base of the blade. Anyone know if its a knock off? Thank you!