Vern,
Your description is quite accurate.
It has:
1. nickel silver bolsters
2. satin finish blade with black etching as follows - central figure of smith in apron with hammer standing over an anvil with a banner flowing across and behind with the words "BUCK'S FAMOUS FOLDING HUNTER" with "1963-1988" on the banner at the upper right and on the lower left under but not within the banner appears "25th ANNIVERSARY"
3. The tang mark is three line -
BUCK
110 (inverted "V")
U.S.A.
4. It appears to me (please remember that this is an untrained eye) to be in an unused condition. It does not appear to have been sharpened nor to have had the benefit of frequent attention and care.
There is what appears to be slight fading on two spots on the etching on the blade; one spot is at the bottom of the "5t" in "25th" and another slightly faded spot on the base of the anvil. That is the best that I can do at description and I am trying to be critically accurate.
The handle inlays appear to be a darker stained and natural untreated wood (I think probably walnut)as compared with current standrd 110s, and the pins are all nickel silver
The blade in the open and locked position is solid when normal side-to-side pressure (subjective, I know) is applied and only slight wobble when normal side-to-side pressure is applied with the blade in the open position and the lock disengaged.
In the closed position the blade is not perfectly centered but does not contact the inside surface.
Since my original post I have consulted the "Knife Grading and Condition" article on the Cutler's Cove website and feel that this knife would fit within their definition of "Mint" condition.
It is in the original box which is silver with black lettering measuring 2.25" X 2.5" X slightly over 6". The description on both ends of the box identify it as "Commemorative Folding Hunter, Model 110NK, CAT#1397".
The box is in good condition with the only obvious flaw being that on each long side of the box appears in hand printed ink "110A" on the upper left and "25th Ann. on one side on the lower right and on the other side is the same "110A" on the upper left and 25 Yrs" on the lower right.
Included in the box are 1)the warranty which I assume is correct for the period, 2)the message from Al Buck and 3)a slip of paper with "Your knife is shipped with a thin protective coating. Simply wipe off with a soft cloth".
That is as accurate a description of the item and answer to your questions as I can provide.
If there is something else I should look for, let me know and I will try.
Thanks for your help.
Wray
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Wray Harrison
Palo Alto, CA
[This message has been edited by WrayH (edited 04-21-2001).]
[This message has been edited by WrayH (edited 04-21-2001).]
[This message has been edited by WrayH (edited 04-22-2001).]
