Date of this western tang stamp?

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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Kolvir
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Date of this western tang stamp?

Post by Kolvir »

What do you think the date is of this Western Fixed Blade Knife?
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djknife13
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Re: Date of this western tang stamp?

Post by djknife13 »

Probably 1950's. ___Dave
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zzyzzogeton
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Re: Date of this western tang stamp?

Post by zzyzzogeton »

Is there a model number stamped into either the guard or onto the pile side ricasso? Also a pic of the whole knife would help.
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Kolvir
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Re: Date of this western tang stamp?

Post by Kolvir »

It is a F48B.
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Re: Date of this western tang stamp?

Post by zzyzzogeton »

I thought it might be a Black Beauty.

Where is the F48B stamped? On the guard or the blade? That will help narrow down when the knife was made.
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Kolvir
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Re: Date of this western tang stamp?

Post by Kolvir »

On the blade.

I want to offer it for sale here soon, but thought posting complete pictures here first and getting a lot of advice on it might be seen as rude. I don't know if it is considered ok or not to get a lot of help iding a knife and then trying to sell it on the same site. I was hoping to just get an idea of the age so I could come up with a price. I thought it might be from the 50s but want to be sure so I didn't misrepresent it.
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zzyzzogeton
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Re: Date of this western tang stamp?

Post by zzyzzogeton »

With the stamp being on the blade, that puts the knife as being made between 1956, when the F28, F48A and F48B made their debuts, and 1967. Western shifted the model stamps of MOST models in 1968 to the guard.

1955 is the first year Western put model numbers on their knives, on the pile side ricasso.
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Re: Date of this western tang stamp?

Post by Kolvir »

I appreciate the information, thank you.
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