Unknown Buck knife

[bpayne77]

My grandfather gave me his knife and I'm trying to figure out if it is a real Buck knife and if so what model.

[jerryd6818]

Welcome to AAPK, the friendliest knife site on the web.

It's real. It's the Skinner model and a real treasure since it came from your Granddad.

http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?eve ... uctID=3039

[bpayne77]

Any guess on the year?...I have found a couple of resources but havn't found any info on an upside down "BUCK" mark.

[Ramrod]

Here is a previous post by jb4570 that might help.
Mark



Here is some Info my friend Armand posted in another site (hope it helps with you next ?)

Dating Buck Fixed Blade 100 Series Knives 1972 to 1986 BY Joe Houser

Group 1 1972- Blade stamped BUCK, XXX, U.S.A. Stamp is upside down or inverted, read with the point down, Guard has two micarta spacers and two aluminum spacers. Pommel has two micarta spacers and one aluminum spacer. A holster style, or Flap over sheath was used and the knife came in a two piece yellow bow.

Group 2 1973-1980 Blade stamped BUCK, XXX, U.S.A. Stamp is right side up, read with the point up, as it is on today's knives. Guard has two micarta and two aluminum spacers. Pommel has two micarta spacers and one aluminum spacer. Holster style, or Flap over sheath still used and the knife originally came in a two piece yellow bow but the switch to a one piece yellow box probably started around 1978.

Group 3 1981 Blade stamped BUCK, XXX, U.S.A. and is oriented the same as the previous group. Guard has one micarta and two aluminum spacers. Pommel has two micarta spacers and one aluminum spacer. I should note that I have only seen the 119, 120, a couple 121s, and one 118 in this configuration and it is likely that the other models skipped this and went straight to the next version. Holster style sheath still possible but also wrap around the handle type is introduced. The belt loop on the 120 swivels. Same one piece yellow box as previous.

Group 4 1981-1986 Blade stamp is still the same as the previous group. Guard has one micarta spacer and two aluminum spacers. Pommel has one micarta and one aluminum spacer. Holster style sheath is still in use on some models. Just about every type of sheath is found in this group. Still the same one piece yellow box as previous.

Group 5 1986- Blades now have a date code following the model number and are stamped BUCK, XXX<, U.S.A. This is the only difference between this group and the one previous. Sheath styles used are probably the same as the group above. Although the logo on the box may have changed slightly, it is still a one piece yellow construction. Over the next many years the boxes used were one piece Black with white letters, then green and tan, category boxes, and now the present orange and black.
jb4570

_________________
Ride Hard, Shoot Straight, and Cut Like a Surgeon

[bpayne77]

Ya that's what I found, but as you can see in the picture, this blade only has BUCK upside down...no USA.

Edit: I just read that only "Buck" means pre-1967.

[Ramrod]

True. I wondered about that too.
Someone who knows, will eventually come along...
Mark

[300Bucks]

Sorry guys not my Buck area, BUT I can eventually get the right person to look at it.

I can tell by casual association with the 100 people that it is old, one of the first issues.

Sending photo across space to the Buck world......300Bucks

[Aimus Moses]

So the knife pictured is one that was made from an old file?

Aimus

[300Bucks]

It is not that old. I should have spoken with more precision, it is likely one of the first couple of 103 versions made in the Buck factory. Not the shed. File knives had odd handles, all the black ones came out of the production line type factory. Asked 103 expert to comment, waiting for his reply. My guess is late 60's early 70's. But we will eventually know the truth.

300Bucks

[300Bucks]

David Martin, 103 person from over on the Buck Forum says:

Look closely, does the handle have hard red fiber spacers or possibily leather spacers. Is there a pin across the rear pommel holding the handle material on or is there a circle in the end of the handle indicating barrel nut construction, i.e. threaded nut covered by plug.

Without that knowledge, it would be a guess that it is a early 60's , possibility a pretty rare model. Or could be the first with hard fiber washers in front and back of black handle material. A picture of the original sheath, if you have it, would help also.

A very nice knife for a family tradition. Un-quote.

300Bucks

PS I blew up photo big and it looks "leathery" and no cross pin from my slightly out of focus pic.

[bpayne77]

The spacers do appear to be soft like leather...and there is a plug on the end as you described. The sheath has a large belt loop with a smaller strap that secures the handle with a snap. The snap is blank, it does not say "BUCK", nor does the sheath.

[300Bucks]

Yes, leather spacers and barrel nut attachment. With that type of strap, David said it was a 1961 model and is a rare knife. He will be here to say so himself soon. ch/300

[bpayne77]

So now that I have a date I found this post on another forum...

Nice knife. Too bad about the pits though. I recomend sending the knife in to my attention and I will replace it for you. For free!

Actually it looks like that is the very first version of production 103 and heres some trivia that will blow your mind. It is actually a model 110 skinner! WoW HUH?
The model number of the skinner was 110 in the early 60's. They changed it to 103 just before the Folding Hunter came out. I wish i knew why.
Your knife should have leather handle spacers, a hold over from the hand made versions. Also, if you look at the back of your sheath, you should be able to see a stich going from one side to the other, at about the spot where the blade "pouch" is on the other side.

Hope this helps.
Joe Houser
Director of Consumer relations Buck Knives Inc.
Buck Collectors club Liaison, Member #123

Thanks for everyone's help!

[Mossdancer]

bpayne77 :
I understand you already have your answer. I don't visit here much lately and have just found this old thread. If you are still around you might use this. Also try to find if you can a copy of Bernard Levines LGIV Book. Lots of folks may nix it, I think it to be a very good reference piece for many knives..
moss