Western Bowie USA knife machete Viet Nam era 1967-68 Nice

A Western Cutlery Company "Western Bowie" knife first shown in 1968 when it appears as a new item in the Western Cutlery Company's catalogue, as illustrated in the book "The Knife Makers Who Went West" by Harvey Platts, (Longs Peak Press, Longmont, Colorado, 1978, long out of print but available in the Internet); The original maker's markings as shown in the1968 and also in the 1978 catalogues consist of simply "WESTERN" although they both appear to be the same photographs recycled with a 10 year hiatus; Both also label the knife as "W49" so there was no pre-W49 labeling; I do not know exactly when the "WESTERN BOWIE USA" marking was first used as it is in this specimen; I can not ascertain its exact date of manufacture but according to some internet research it may date from 1967-68; Please see also the last two photos taken from M. Cole's book III illustrating a special order of around 100 Bowies for the Special Forces in 1965 where the maker's marking on the blade is simply "BOWIE" ; It appears that most of the Viet Nam era Bowies were marked BOWIE or WESTERN BOWIE USA ; Also it appears that the chrome plating?

Of the blade may have been designed to prevent rust in the jungle?

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