119 first year in production ??

[hiwa]

I would kindly like to know the first year the 119 went into production, and what changes were made through the years. Also, does the date code chart ( tang stamp) for years of production apply to all Buck knives, including the 119 ??

Thanks for the info fellas.

Pete

 

[edbeau]

Good question! I know that the blade shape has changed over the years. There are plenty of 119 out there and folks that have older ones. I am sure you will have plenty of info soon.

 

[Telechronos]

There is a cut-off date for your question. "Production" began on the 119 when Buck Incorporated in April of 1961. The first "production" 119 was as shown in the second picture (although the very first had leather spacers rather than the spacers shown here. This and the earlier "production" ones had the handle affixed with a nut at the end of the pommel (thus they have the name barrel nut Bucks. The 2nd pic is a an example of a barrel nut 119. Later 119s had the handle affixed via a pin through the pommel perpendicular to the blade.

But.... knives very similar to 119s were made prior to incorporation. It would be impossible to show all of those, the top pic is an example of an earlier one.

The history following 1961 includes many different renditions of the 119. Again it would be impossible to show all of them here but the third picture, (poor as it is) shows some of the variations.

The picture quality is poor but is the result of hasty effort.

AS ALWAYS: These comments are subject to correction by more knowledgeable members of this forum.

Telechronos

 

[Joe Houser]

There is also a way to narrow down when a 119 was made by counting the micarta rings on both ends of the handle. The blade stamp was the same from 1972-1985 and the ring counting method is a way to narrow them down within that timeframe.
If you send an email to me, I will gladly send that info to you. Its to long to type it all here.
Take care,

 

[hiwa]

Thanks for the answers so far Gentlemen. The 119 I have is only a couple of years old, but I really enjoy this knife, and was curious as to it's history as I have never read or seen much about it. I know a lot of people have one though, and it's a great knife that's been around for quite a long time.

Pete

 

[David Martin]

Thanks Tele and Joe for the info. its always good . Its Tele's statement above which I'd like to address which I agree with . Those knives prior to 1961 were called a 119 but did not look like the 119 of 1961 and after . This holds true for many of the models . So, when we speak of model history there are two time lines one prior to 1961 of about 20yrs. and another of 1961 and after . Its in this second time frame that the models really got carved in stone by Buck . DM