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
Western W49 Bowie
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Re: Western W49 Bowie
Very cool. Awesome big broad blade.
Your friend on the web's most friendly community on knives and blades,
John
Massachusetts Where Everything is Illegal or Taxed
John
Massachusetts Where Everything is Illegal or Taxed
Re: Western W49 Bowie
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.
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"
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"
Re: Western W49 Bowie
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
Can anyone help me with the information how was the Vietnam era Western W49 Bowie marked?
Best,
Stefan
Re: Western W49 Bowie
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.
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.
Re: Western W49 Bowie
Thank you so very much!
I really appreciate the information!
Best,
Stefan
Sweden
I really appreciate the information!
Best,
Stefan
Sweden
Re: Western W49 Bowie
i have the ''M'' version
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"
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"