All About Pocket Knives

I got these two in yesterday. A used Bowie #21627 - 12" OAL with a blade of 7-1/8" length... and a NIB Sportsman #21621 - 8-1/2" OAL with a blade length of 4-3/8". The Bowie is impressive to see and hold because of it's size. I believe the Bowie is one of the early issued ones from the '60's. The Sportsman is in the American Eagle series and I believe it is from the '70s.

Nice Knives.
The big knife.
It is the same blade as in the Schrade Walden 166 Buffalo Bill.
I have Craftsman USA but it does not have the SS on it.
The plack. The American Eagle Collection
COL JAMES BOWIE
1736-1836

Grant
(EDIT)The small knife is the same as the Old Timer 41OT or Schrade Walden141

Thanks Grant!

"hahaha... that's not a knife... <pulls out huge Bowie knife> THAT's a knife!" (Crocodile Dundee influenced)

When was the Buffalo Bill Bowie knife made?

The SS on the reverse of the tang, is only on the smaller knife. Because it is in the American Eagle box and apparently stainless steel, is what makes me believe it is from the 70's or newer.

The Bowie knife only has Craftsman over USA on the tang and is certainly high carbon steel, not stainless. I think this one is from the 60's, because the blade is 7-1/8" on this example, not the later 6-7/8" length in the American Eagle run.

Buffalo Bill Bowie knife ( It had a wooden handle ) was made before 1973.It had the Schrade Walden tang stamp.
One off the other member might be able to give you a better time line.

Grant

I believe both knives are from the "American Eagle" series; I am far away from my home computer situation for a few days. I think somewhere in this forum I posted the paperwork from this series showing the different knives and I think about 1967 and slightly later. A totally reputable and reliable Schrade researcher has said that most Sears knives made by Schrade often preceded the versions produced under the Schrade home marque.

No connection to the Craftsman line that I am aware of, but here is some info I've collected and a Buffalo Bill knife I own. 1969 is what I've narrowed it down to as first issued. Not sure what year my knife was made. OH

OH,
That's a Beauty! Thanks for posting it here! Fun to read the paperwork too.
It is the same blade as the Craftsman #21627 Bowie. From what I can discern from the research I've done, the Craftsman Bowie preceded the BB #166 by possibly a few years. I'm thinking 1967 or so. Generally speaking, all Craftsman fixed blades. preceded any Schrade-Walden fixed blades, of the same knife.

Here's a few more...
Craftsman Pro Hunter 171UH version, Custom Skinner, Hunter's Choice, all stamped Craftsman USA.... and two early 15OT's, stamped Schrade Walden, Pat. Pending., one has Sven on the shield and the other is Old Timer but has a s/n of 09735. I haven't figured out the Sven reference yet.