1978 Buck 703 Prototype on the auction site??

Joe58

Joe58

Joined
Nov 11, 2002
Messages
1,969
I ran across this 703 currently being offered on the auction site. Listed as a 1978 Buck 703 Prototype.

I've not seen a Buck prototype out in the wild before, at least that I can recall, and was curious if this is the way Buck would have identified and marked a prototype knife as it was passed around at the factory? Does anyone have similar marked models? Love to see pics.

It just doesn't look right to me so I figured I'd ask the experts on the forum. The 703 is one of my favorite stockman patterns and if this is an actual prototype, it'd be nice to have. But it's priced out of my budget.

Here's a few of the sellers pics. There's more in the listing.







 
That model 'Colt' went into production in late 1979 and knives shipped to fill orders just afterward. I don't know what a prototype of that model would look like. But I've never seen or
heard of something dressed like that. DM
 
I know the seller of this knife. He gets knives such as this directly from Buck so I would say it is for sure legit. He would not sell fakes or give misinformation. He does not need to. He gets knives that most of us would only dream to have.
 
There wasn't one factory until 1980's on Weld. In 1978 there were 7 manufacturing locations (each with its own style/culture/loyalty) scattered about the local area (where Buck was producing the Slimline 500 series folders, somewhat similar in size to the 700 series). The Colt project was Buck's attempt to replace the 300 series, which was manufactured by Camillus, with an in-house folder series in order to give Buck more control over the product. The heavy duty 700 model project was such a success that Buck kept the 300 series (in 1987 Buck began in-house production of the 301, 303, 305 & 309 see p. 53 The Story of Buck Knives by Tom Ables). Getting together the prototype would have been a challenge in-house. I would doubt that Buck would have asked Camillus to do it for them...

The last time I visited beautiful Nebraska corn was planted fence row to fence row. I don't think that there is room in your state for such a big robust unique prototype 700 series Buck one of one. Too much corn already taken up the available space. Yup. :)
 
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Pretty interesting stuff here. I'm glad it's legit so I at least get to see pictures of what it looks like. Won't work into my budget sadly.

Hopefully someone else might have pics of other Buck prototype marked models. I wonder if they still do that and whatever happens to them once the design goes to production.

And yes Steve, I'm surrounded by cornfields about 8' tall currently. Makes drivingiin the country gravel roads exciting sometimes at the mile road corners. :) Although it's just now starting to turn and I've noticed some farmers are chopping for silage already. Winters coming!
 
I'm unsure What is meant about Buck having only one factory as Buck HAD several...? Buck did have a modern production plant built on Weld Blvd. in El Cajon, CA. in 1980. Their only one until moving to Idaho in 2005. (Which has a play in this subject.) Once, this new plant was built Buck had plans to move slip lock folder production 'in-house'. So, this timing and date is critical. Now, for info. on the 700's: The 700 series did 'Later' become a success but got off to a rocky start and set back. The first 703's used 17-7 steel for the back-lock springs and somehow these were tempered incorrectly. This caused these springs to break in customers pockets, on display shelves and in unopened original boxes, while not even being used! Buck's guarantee held and All those first knives were returned and made good. This dampened the enthusiasm toward this series being stronger and better engineered by Buck craftsmen. Still, Buck knuckled down and built it. The first prototype was made in 1978 a 703. And by Dec. 1979 finished knives were shipped. The series was sold for 20 years. Paraphrased from an article appearing in the Buck Collectors Club newsletter June 2003 written by Larry Oden. The series was designed to be 'an upgrade' for the 300 series. Though dealers welcomed this series they still wanted the 300 series as well. DM
 
Weld plant united what had been produced by 7 plants under separate roofs. The Weld location brought production under one roof where, I imagine, the making of a prototype would involve walking and talking and rather spontaneous meetings of the minds (where standardization of prototypes could more easily be accomplished). I would expect the pictured proto from Weld.

However, in 1978 with seven facilities, again I imagine, production of a prototype would involve driving and letters and less than spontaneous meeting of the minds. I would not expect the pictured proto from the pre-Weld scattered setup of Buck knife production. It just looks to darn pretty. Maybe Camillus did make it...

Collectors with prototypes and collectors in general don't frequent this forum. It isn't polite for some, others haven't gone digital, way too many rules here due to the commercialism prime rule, they tend to be solitary, few prototypes exist, most won't recognize a prototype and they don't change hands very often and when they do long green can be involved.

I had an 800 series prototype. It looked like heck. It was a proof of concept. I knew the chain of title: Buck to Vern Taylor to Andy Taylor to me. It was believable based on that chain. It was not labeled as a prototype in any special way.
 
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Perhaps Larry will pile on next week if he has the time. He might have seen the proto and/or know something about it.
 
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This seller is My Friend and I have purchased several high quality Buck knives from him and have never had a problem with what he said or his selling practices. All of his knives are either Custom or a VERY Limited Edition, and even one of a kind's, check his store out. As far as joe58 he does accept reasonable offers, even if the site doesn't state that. Feel secure purchasing with this seller, he will do whatever to make things right, if he is in the wrong, which I have no knowledge of that happening. He is very thorough in the history of his product's and only speaks of things he knows of.

Oregon; There's more collectors than you think visit the big auction site, They just don't admit it. I find more rare knives on that web site than anywhere else in the world. I've gone to auctions, gun and knife shows my whole life and unless your collecting $5,000.00 plus knives where else are going to go? Plus the $5,000.00 + club have their own shows, by invitation only.
 
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The knife is legit and I can vouch personally. He is a friend of mine and I trust him without question.

Awesome rare knife.
 
All information passed along here is much appreciated. I did want to make sure it's clear my post wasn't questioning this sellers integrity and after reading my OP, I can see where that might have been the assumption.

My saying it didn't look right, was just based on my own lack of knowledge and familiarity with these early prototypes and versions I hadn't run across before. That's why I brought it here, as I knew I'd learn more about one of my favorite models.

So, my apologies if my post offended anyone. I just worded it poorly.

Thanks! Joe
 
It wasn't so much what YOU said Joe. Like I said earlier you can rest assure by buying anything from this seller it is genuine. He does accept reasonable offers even if his site doesn't state that. Please read my post #10. I think DM is probably one of the most knowledgable people on here, I would read what he say's about any particular Buck and learn. Joe Houser is excellent also. There are others, just read and pay attention to what they say and check it out for yourself and you'll learn a lot.
 
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I have a few proto types. here you go.
P1050093.jpg

P1050094.jpg

P1050024-1.jpg

P1050023-2.jpg

P1050025.jpg

As you can see they are marked in different ways.
One was picked up at Buck during the twenty year event, the other was given to me by a very good friend. HL
 
Why doesn't Buck sharpen their serrated blades? Is it too time consuming? Not that yours needs sharpening. It just reminded me and I thought it was a good place to ask.
 
The 703 Proto is legit. If i remember correctly, it was sold at an employee only sale. The employee sold it...years later, to the person selling it now. Have you seen the older Buck's with the white writting on them? Buck had a sales promotion of some sort where we would put a person's name on the knife. Ive seen it on 300, 700, 100 series, and 110/112's. Well thats the same as is seen on this proto.
In 1978 Buck was in its Magnolia plant which was built to be the last new factory they would ever need...but they quickly outgrew it anyways! :) Thats when they started renting out space around El Cajon for verious parts of production. This was ok to do for the short term and plans were started for the Weld Blvd. factory.
In 78 the Magnolia plant was still the headquarters so coorinating this or any other proto would have been easy. I know ive seen more models similar to the 703 in question and ill take a look for them later.
BTW, that serration is sharpened, but only on the one side. It is deadly sharp...i cut myself on serrations more than on plain edges for some reason! Ha!
I hope this helps.
 
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