Western W49 Bowie

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Hombre
Posts: 123
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:46 pm

Western W49 Bowie

Post by Hombre »

I have always wanted a Western W49 Bowie and yesterday I got his one...
If I understand the markings right it was made 1980...
Yes, a Vietnam era Western Bowie should have been better but I guess, I have to be content with this one...

Best,
Stefan
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sammy the blade
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Location: Indiana

Re: Western W49 Bowie

Post by sammy the blade »

Big knife
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john
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Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:40 am
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Re: Western W49 Bowie

Post by john »

Very cool. Awesome big broad blade.
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John

Massachusetts Where Everything is Illegal or Taxed
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TRYKER
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Re: Western W49 Bowie

Post by TRYKER »

i used to wear one back in the 70's an 80's when i rode with a club. then it got stolen out of my van in Cambridge Ma. in 81' some bars wouldn't allow it. i do have another since 87'.

neva saw western stamped on the sheath.
TRYKER



A man who brags about how smart he is, wouldn't if he was.

"Rose-colored glassses are never made in bifocals. Nobody wants to read the small print in dreams"
Hombre
Posts: 123
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:46 pm

Re: Western W49 Bowie

Post by Hombre »

When I look at the markings I understand that the D means that it was manufactured 1980...
Can anyone help me with the information how was the Vietnam era Western W49 Bowie marked?

Best,
Stefan
kwackster
Posts: 398
Joined: Mon May 15, 2017 8:07 pm

Re: Western W49 Bowie

Post by kwackster »

Western Bowies/W49 Stamps

1 ) Bx54 Bushman - All caps "WESTERN" parallel to the spine near the guard on the MARK side of the blade - 1943/1944

2 ) Western "BOWIE" Version 1 - "WESTERN" over "BOULDER COLO" on MARK side with an inverted "BOWIE" on the PILE side - 1964/1965
Examples here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24978&p=276634&hili ... ie#p276634

3 ) Western "BOWIE" Version 2 - "WESTERN" over "BOWIE" over "BOULDER COLO" on the MARK side - 1965/1966/1967

4 ) Western "BOWIE" Version 3 - "WESTERN" over "BOULDER COLO" on the MARK side of the guard with "BOWIE" on the PILE side of the guard - late 1967/1968

5 ) Western "W49" Version 1 - "WESTERN" over "BOULDER COLO" on the MARK side of the guard with "W49" on the PILE side of the guard - late 1969 or 1970 to 1973

6 ) Western "W49" Version 2 - "WESTERN" over "USA" on the MARK side of the guard with "W49" on the PILE side of the guard - 1973 to 1976

7 ) Western "W49" Version 3 - "WESTERN" over "W49 USA" over "year code letter" on the MARK side of the ricasso - 1977 (A) to 1989 (M)
Side note - year code letters went through "N" and "O" as well, i.e., 1990 and 1991, but I have never seen an "N" or "O" W49. I have seen other models with those year codes. This does not mean "N" or "O" W49's were not made. It just means I haven't seen them.

8 )Western "W49" Version 4 - "WESTERN" over "W49 USA" on the MARK side of the ricasso. No year codes. 1992 through 2005/6 - the Camillus years. 1095 for 1992 - 1994, 420 Stainless for 1994 to the end.

This list does not include the 2 versions of S649 W49s, the stainless steel versions made 1968 to 1976. There was a BOWIE version and a W49 version. Both were guard marked. The MARK side stamps were "WESTERN" over either "BOULDER COLO" OR "USA". The PILE side stamp was the same for both - "S649" over "STAINLESS STEEL". The S was for Stainless, 6 for Delrin Stag handles, W49 pattern.

There were many "special edition" W49's made by Western/Coleman-Western/Camillus over the years. Info on those is not included here, nor any info for the Camillus produced "Remington" stag handled Bowies.
Hombre
Posts: 123
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:46 pm

Re: Western W49 Bowie

Post by Hombre »

Thank you so very much!
I really appreciate the information!

Best,
Stefan
Sweden
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TRYKER
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Re: Western W49 Bowie

Post by TRYKER »

i have the ''M'' version
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A man who brags about how smart he is, wouldn't if he was.

"Rose-colored glassses are never made in bifocals. Nobody wants to read the small print in dreams"
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