Tang Stamp with an 'X' by it

[Paladin]

A recently acquired Buck stockman 301 has an 'X' with the pattern number stamped on the tang.
Anybody know the significance of the 'X' stamp? Joe Houser are you out there??

[Railsplitter]

Could it be the date code for 1990?

[useem]

"X" is the mark for 1990

[Paladin]

Thank you for that info. I am a little embarassed that I never thought of that.

Ray

[300Bucks]

Here's the fast and dirty 301 date and tang index.

1966 - 67 Schrade contract,Buck Made In USA on tang, NO model number, groove bolsters, scale pins.
1966 - 67 Schrade contract, Buck Made In USA on tang, No grooves scale pin continue
1967 - 71 Schrade contract, Buck Made In USA on tang, Buck on back of secondaries, No model number, scale pins
1971 - Camillus contract(shape changes), Buck Made In USA on tang, No Model number, scale pins
late 1971 - Camillus contract, Buck Made In USA on tang, Model number on clip tang reverse
1971 - 74 - Camillus contract, Buck Made In USA, Model number on clip tang reverse, no scale pins
1974 - 85 - Camillus contract, Buck 301 USA all on front tang
1985 - Buck takes over manuf., Buck 301 USA on tang, BUCK replaces knife,hammer and bolt logo on escutcheon plate, NO date symbol yet.
1986 - 88 Buck manuf., Buck 301 USA on tang, BUCK on escutcheon, date after 301 on tang
1989 -90 Buck dumps BUCK escutcheon for classic knife,bolt and hammer escutcheon plate.
1990 to the future, Buck 301 (with date code) USA on tang

Someday Bear Claw Chris Lappe or I will get a 301 history on the the BCCI website
and really confuse people.......300Bucks