Western L48A

[GunnyUSMC]

The other day I spotted this old knife in the display case at a pawn shop. It was marked $9.99, but I was able to pick it up for $5.


It’s an old Western L48A. It’s not in the best of shape, but should clean up pretty good. Not bad for $5.

 

[whughett]

Cool old school knife. Not bad at twice the price.

 

[bikerdoc]

Very cool!, you scored. Those are good knives.

 

[Mk-211]

Now you get to take it apart and restore it the best you can. The blade will be the hardest part, that one side is pretty bad.

The stacked leather can be fixed, you can find kits to redo them, try ebay. The brass guard can be sanded and polished out.

Sounds like a winter project, have fun.

 

[rust collector]

Those were classics. Honest high carbon steel, and unique H shaped leather plies with alloy butt pinned to each tine of the tang. Easy to sharpen and should polish up nicely.

They were plenty shiny when new and never again, as the shine was under a lacquer coating that didn't last long once the knife was in use.

 

[Boattale]

I'll give you $6.00 for it.

 

[Ru4real]

Nice! Reminds me of the one I have from my Mom’s Dad. He engraved the leather when he bought it in 1929. In 1929 he was 35 years old and had been in the USA for 24 years, having taken the boat over here when he was 11 years old.

View attachment 949557

 

[Boattale]

Nice! Reminds me of the one I have from my Mom’s Dad. He engraved the leather when he bought it in 1929. In 1929 he was 40 years old and ad been in the USA for 31 years, having taken the boat over here when he was 11 years old.

View attachment 949557

Wow. Too cool.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Now you get to take it apart and restore it the best you can. The blade will be the hardest part, that one side is pretty bad.

The stacked leather can be fixed, you can find kits to redo them, try ebay. The brass guard can be sanded and polished out.

Sounds like a winter project, have fun.

I think I’m just going to keep it original and just clean it up.

 

[Boattale]

I think I’m just going to keep it original and just clean it up.

Good plan.