Western Bowie knife issued in SF? - Page 2

Richard · 09-17-2011, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRB

Oh I dunno, I remember lots of guys carrying swords in combat....

Damn - you're older than I thought!

Richard

colt · 09-21-2011, 13:52

I carried a Western Bowie for a short period on my first tour in VN.It had a brown leather sheath,that attached by belt hooks on your pistol belt.There was a swivel attachment at the top of the sheath,below the belt hooks.The knife was hard to sharpen,too long and not practical for anything.I took it with me because I thought it looked"cool".I did absolutely nothing with this knife,except play with it.I traded the knife for something,I don't remember what.This is all from memory,probably before you were born.I hope this helps.I will try to answer any questions,but please remember the timeline.

**Pete** · 09-21-2011, 14:05

colt

You need to follow the instructions you were given when you signed up on this board and make your "first" post in the intro thread.

Also fill out your profile.

chisumr · 06-29-2013, 08:35

Vietnam Western Special Forces Bowie----Only 100 made in 1965 and sent to the Special Forces at Fort Bragg. The blade is 9 1/8" long and marked "Bowie" on one side and "Western / Boulder,Colo. U.S.A." on the other. On the Bowie marked side is the Special Forces crest. The blade has a blueish stained appearance with some scratches and light sharpening at the cutting edge. I'm guessing the owner tried to blue the blade and it also got wet. I'm betting this knife went to Vietnam with its owner. It comes with the original sheath that is in very nice condition. Ref: Cole III pg 168----Super Rare----$ 750.00

I bought his from John Gibson who has Militaryknives.com Thought you guys might like to know the real truth .......

SF_BHT · 06-29-2013, 08:47

Photos go a long way...

Just because someone on military knifes.com Said so doe not make it true. Several of the people that have commented on this thread were in SF back then in RVN.

I would put more value in your statements if the manufacture documented this and if some SF guys said yeah I remember them being given out back then.

I am not saying you are wrong but what supports your claim......

Beef · 06-29-2013, 11:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by SF_BHT

Photos go a long way...

Just because someone on military knifes.com Said so doe not make it true. Several of the people that have commented on this thread were in SF back then in RVN.

I would put more value in your statements if the manufacture documented this and if some SF guys said yeah I remember them being given out back then.

I am not saying you are wrong but what supports your claim......

I totally agree. This is similar an ongoing topic on several watch forums regarding Rolex Submariners being issued to U.S. Military divers. The ONLY DOCUMENTED case of Rolex Subs being issued to U.S. Military divers are the prototype Sea Dwellers in the late '60's. There were, however, hundreds of Tudor ( Rolex's "economy" line) Subs issued to divers, primarily Navy, but some others, too. Then there where tons of PX purchase Rolex Subs used. Which has led to the myth of the issue watches. I suspect the " cup and flower fund" may possibly be responsible for the creation of a new military myth. However, anything is possible, it justs needs documentation.

Richard · 06-29-2013, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beef

I totally agree. This is similar an ongoing topic on several watch forums regarding Rolex Submariners being issued to U.S. Military divers. The ONLY DOCUMENTED case of Rolex Subs being issued to U.S. Military divers are the prototype Sea Dwellers in the late '60's. There were, however, hundreds of Tudor ( Rolex's "economy" line) Subs issued to divers, primarily Navy, but some others, too. Then there where tons of PX purchase Rolex Subs used. Which has led to the myth of the issue watches. I suspect the " cup and flower fund" may possibly be responsible for the creation of a new military myth. However, anything is possible, it justs needs documentation.

We had the Tudor Submariners (some with a black dial and some with a blue dial) in the 7th Group SCUBA Locker for issue to us on ODAs with a primary dive mission - but we all had our own dive watches and seldom used the Group's MTOE watches because it was always a paperwork pain in the @$$ to do so...depending on who the NCOIC of the locker and Group PBO were at the time.

Richard

Beef · 06-29-2013, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

We had the Tudor Submariners (some with a black dial and some with a blue dial) in the 7th Group SCUBA Locker for issue to us on ODAs with a primary dive mission - but we all had our own dive watches and seldom used the Group's MTOE watches because it was always a paperwork pain in the @$$ to do so...depending on who the NCOIC of the locker and Group PBO were at the time.

Richard

And those Tudors with some military documentation ( hand receipt or something similar or photos of it use) go upwards of $5-6K. Cost at the time new was ~ $250. I hope that you managed to "requisition" one, Richard!

06-30-2013, 10:34

Western Bowies were also issued in large numbers by the U.S Army Air Corps for seat survival kits in Fighters. The same was done for Korean Era airplanes. This may have even over-flowed into some survival kits into Vietnam.

**Peregrino** · 06-30-2013, 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

We had the Tudor Submariners (some with a black dial and some with a blue dial) in the 7th Group SCUBA Locker for issue to us on ODAs with a primary dive mission - but we all had our own dive watches and seldom used the Group's MTOE watches because it was always a paperwork pain in the @$$ to do so...depending on who the NCOIC of the locker and Group PBO were at the time.

Richard

Same for 5th SFG(A) in 79. Ours were actually issued to the dive teams though. On 511 we kept ours in the 1-drawer field safe and they never left the team room. The monthly 10% sensitive items inventories always seemed to include counting watches. Most of us younger guys bought and used Seikos because the Tudors weren't worth the PITA. Personally, after the G-Shocks came out, I went Casio and never looked back.

Beef · 06-30-2013, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAB32

Western Bowies were also issued in large numbers by the U.S Army Air Corps for seat survival kits in Fighters. The same was done for Korean Era airplanes. This may have even over-flowed into some survival kits into Vietnam.

Western did make large numbers of knives for the Air Corps during WW II. Sheath knives as well as a 3 bladed stockman for smaller survival kits. I've never seen any special markings on any Westerns, though. The Ulster mountain pocket knife had U.S. on the bail and many other companies made a Scout type pocket knife with U.S.A. on the shield that was inlaid into the scale. And of course, the original "Demo" knife was issued as a utility pocket knife in 1944 with USMC engraved into the scale. HOOAH! Probably the only time in history we Jarheads were on the "cutting edge" in the equipment area. Been using the Army's leftovers ever since!

Beef · 06-30-2013, 13:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peregrino

Same for 5th SFG(A) in 79. Ours were actually issued to the dive teams though. On 511 we kept ours in the 1-drawer field safe and they never left the team room. The monthly 10% sensitive items inventories always seemed to include counting watches. Most of us younger guys bought and used Seikos because the Tudors weren't worth the PITA. Personally, after the G-Shocks came out, I went Casio and never looked back.

You are dead on about the Seikos! In the late ' 70's- early '80's everyone showed up at or from the Q with a Seiko diver with a black rubber strap bearing a small compass! The peak of fashion amongst the newbies. ( I was a newbie at the time.)

Richard · 06-30-2013, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beef

And those Tudors with some military documentation ( hand receipt or something similar or photos of it use) go upwards of $5-6K. Cost at the time new was ~ $250. I hope that you managed to "requisition" one, Richard!

Wowsa! Now I wish I woulda "requisitioned" one or two or three of them...

Richard

chisumr · 07-13-2013, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by SF_BHT

Photos go a long way...

Just because someone on military knifes.com Said so doe not make it true. Several of the people that have commented on this thread were in SF back then in RVN.

I would put more value in your statements if the manufacture documented this and if some SF guys said yeah I remember them being given out back then.

I am not saying you are wrong but what supports your claim......

Try looking up the reference I gave. Cole book has the info. I also think John Gibson can verify this....