124 1973 Blocky / squared handle question

[gsea]

Just curious if anyone thinks there were a lot of these produced? I know the red micarta version is hard to find and had not may produced. How available is the black micarta version now days?
Thanks

 

[David Martin]

gsea, I am not sure on those numbers. Try the 2004 Newsletter. Joe H. wrote a feature article on the 124 in that year. It may give the numbers
in it. The black micarta, blocky handle 1973 model 124 is the early one I normally stumble across. I've only seen one maroon micarta handled
124. DM

 

[pjsjr]

gsea, David, I know of the article in the December, 2006 and it doesn't give numbers. Preston

 

[David Martin]

pj, ok, it was 2006. Thanks. I have some additional data sheets on this model I can dig out and see if production numbers are included in them.
Just give me some time. DM

 

[pjsjr]

David, I do hope you fine them. I seem to remember seeing numbers for each year of 124 production but can't locate it. Then again it could be a figment of my imagination...happening more frequently now days. Preston

 

[gsea]

Thanks guys
I have the bcci data sheet but no numbers also the info sheet from Joe H doesn't have numbers until 1980. The numbers from 1980 on are small with the biggest being 10,000 made in 1980 with the lowest being 3,850 in 1983. Just a guess but the 73's are probably low. I have the maroon version and black. Black occasionally shows up but never see the maroon out there. In case you were wondering why the inquiry I am thinking of re-handling the black version and was trying to get a feel of its rarity before making my decision.

 

[pjsjr]

If I read the info in the 2006 newsletter correctly from late 1973 - 1982 they were all black micarta. He put the number in 1980 as 10,500 and 1981 as 7,300. No production numbers for '73-82 which could be any one's guess...but they would all be the same knife, black micarta handle with BUCK, 124, USA.

My thinking is this is a 35-45 year old knife, many have been lost, beat up, etc. no telling how many remain. If you want one that has the BUCK,124, USA tang stamp that's the way you're going to get it.

If it were me I'd wait until I had another in my hand. Good luck, Preston

 

[Badhammer]

Can't speak to how many burgundy micarta were made but was able to pick one up off the bay a few years back and based on how seldom I have run across another one I'm glad I did. I know it's not the scarcest version out there but it's got to be in the top 5.

 

[gsea]

Yes but 73 was the year with the blocky/square handle and the only year.

 

[pjsjr]

Yes but 73 was the year with the blocky/square handle and the only year.

I had no idea that that was the case, would you please post a comparison picture. Thanks, Preston

 

[DocT]

Here is a previous discussion on this issue: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/burgundy-micarta-124.1078250/

Of course the pictures are missing because of Photobucket.

What is interesting is the talk of a brown micarta 124.

 

[gsea]

the bottom one is the blocky handle if it"s not obvious

 

[gsea]

Doc
Not positive but I kind of remember Leroy telling me the brown was a special order so only a few. I'll ask him next time I talk with him.

 

[David Martin]

gsea, a related item not shedding much light toward this topic. The Empress Trio knives brought out in 1973 can be found with blocky handles and black micarta. And others with the maroon micarta which do not have the blocking handles (those are more radiused). Joe Houser told
me the black, blocky handles are earlier and harder to find. But with this model the opposite is true.? DM

 

[Haebbie]

Well, Gsea, the left 124 is a black micarta. I don't know the exact manufacturing date. But at least it is from 1973 or later. It has a aluminum guard and pommel.
The right one is a maroon micarta from 1972. Stainless steel. It has to be a transition knife, because the BCCI data sheet says the maroon micarta 124 are made with aluminum mountings. But it has the blocky handle.
Hope that helps a bit.

Haebbie

 

[Haebbie]

The blocky readhead from picture above is down left.
The other two have aluminum parts and are made I think in 1973.

Haebbie

 

[pjsjr]

the bottom one is the blocky handle if it"s not obvious

Thank you, I can see the difference...it's also one with a lanyard hole, right? Preston

 

[Haebbie]

sorry, guys, now I understood that I was not meant.

Haebbie

 

[pjsjr]

sorry, guys, now I understood that I was not meant. Haebbie

Haebbie, it was probably me getting the thread sideways. 1973 for the 124 is a confusing year...lots of changes! I'l bet hkingdom or Evil Eye Earl would know, plus we might get to see some of their amazing collection Preston

 

[David Martin]

I have the black micarta 124 with blocky handle and lanyard hole. It has a swivel sheath. DM