Western States Dog Head Folder — Bone Handle

This single-blade folder was made by Western States Cutlery & Mfg. Co. of Boulder, Colorado, a company founded in 1911 by H.N. Platts after he sold his interest in W.R. Case & Sons. The blade carries the "Western States Cut. Co., Boulder, Colo." tang stamp used by the company circa 1911–1941. The nickel silver escutcheon is the well-known "dog head" shield — not a Western States house design, but one contracted out to Union Cutlery Co. (the maker that would later become Ka-Bar), making dog head Westerns a point of crossover interest for collectors of both brands.

The knife has a coke-bottle profile with nickel silver bolsters and jigged bone handle scales. Total length is 9 inches open, 5 1/4 inches closed.

The blade has been sharpened and shows honest use, and the handle scales carry expected pocket wear from years of carry. A solid using example of an early Western States pattern with genuine dog head provenance.