305 Lancer

Scott Hartman

Scott Hartman

Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Messages
2,606
I finally picked up an older 305 Lancer. Is this model the first produced by Camillus, and was it produced in 1969? Anyone know?
 
I will jump in here and do my best, corrections appreciated. :foot:
First model will be from 68 - 71, have three brass spacers, no model #, handle pins, long pull, made by Cami.
There once was some debate that the category was split in production time by having main blade pull being slightly bigger on one and smaller on another. As Larry believes this to now not be valid, and I have not handle enough of this era ( maybe 15 or so) I will defer to the same conclusion. There is however some variation in pulls. I will call it just foundry differences.
The next model will have the model number on the off tang, pins, etc. :p
 
Thanks 300Bucks, so you're thinking 1968 was the first year Camillus produced the 305 for Buck. So while Schrade was supplying 301s & 303s until 1971 or 1972, Camillus was making the 305, then the 301 & 303, then in 1972 the 309 & 307.
 
Yes.

I am going with Larry Oden's latest writing in the newest Levin's Guide and other correspondence. At first it was thought that Scharde had made a "few" 305's late in their production of 301 and 303's and examples "were few". Some of that thought was based on the size difference in the long pulls on the clip blade. But I have never , myself, held or viewed a picture of a 'hidden' pivot pin 305 as Schrade was making in the 301's and 303's. It was Larry's latest opinion to me, that 305's started with Cami. manuf. The first 'bulk' production of 305's is your knife. Cami. went on to vary the construction along the time frame they changed the 301's and 303's. My earliest example of a 305 is a copy of yours. Will do a time line photograph of examples and post here...:thumbup:
 
I remembered having one of these so thought I would throw up some deminsions while yall put up some pics. Mine looka to be as new but just says Buck, 305, USA, and has a normal curved nail nick....... Cool little knife.

Closed it is right 2 5/8
Clip blade looks to be 1 7/8
Coping blade just under inch and a half

It is still listed on Bucks site
 

Starting from left going down from box.
1. 68-71 Cami,raised scale rivets, No Model #, Tang front BUCK MIUSA.
2. 1971, Cami., flat scale rivets, 305 on back of tang, BUCK MIUSA on front of tang.
3. 1971, Cami., flat scale rivets, No model #, BUCK MIUSA on front of tang.
4. 71-74, Cami., No scale rivets, 305 on back (pyle) if tang, BUCK MIUSA on front of tang.
5. 74-85(early), Cami., No scale rivet, No model #, BUCK MIUSA on front of tang
6. 74-85(late), Cami., No scale rivet, BUCK 305 USA on front of tang.
Top right knife. Oddball (they are out there if you handle enough) , scale rivets with 74-85 blade. Rebladed- maybe.
Note the slight difference in the width of the long pulls on the bottom two knives, that was something to watch for in past but doesn't mean anything to me but manuf. differences. Note cost sticker on box...With 85-86 time period they switched scale shield to BUCK and dropped the knife and bolt for 5 or 6 years....

Corrections to above welcome or at least willing to discuss.:p
 


From Top, All Buck made
1. 1985 or early 86 note no date code. Buck escutcheon
2. 86 date code, < , Buck esc.
3. 87 date code, > , Buck esc.
4. 88 date code, ^, Buck esc.
5. 89 date code, v, Buck esc.
A few 1990 date codes, X , have Buck escutcheons in other models but most are knife and bolt, I seem to be lacking an example of any 1990 305.
6 91 date code, +, Knife and bolt escutcheon (for example)
At this time point I decided that I don't have enough time or money to collect every Buck 300 made so have stopped collecting standard 305's with this one 1991 model.:eek:
 
300Bucks said:

Starting from left going down from box.
1. 68-71 Cami,raised scale rivets, No Model #, Tang front BUCK MIUSA.
2. 1971, Cami., flat scale rivets, 305 on back of tang, BUCK MIUSA on front of tang.
3. 1971, Cami., flat scale rivets, No model #, BUCK MIUSA on front of tang.
4. 71-74, Cami., No scale rivets, 305 on back (pyle) if tang, BUCK MIUSA on front of tang.
5. 74-85(early), Cami., No scale rivet, No model #, BUCK MIUSA on front of tang
6. 74-85(late), Cami., No scale rivet, BUCK 305 USA on front of tang.
Top right knife. Oddball (they are out there if you handle enough) , scale rivets with 74-85 blade. Rebladed- maybe.
Note the slight difference in the width of the long pulls on the bottom two knives, that was something to watch for in past but doesn't mean anything to me but manuf. differences. Note cost sticker on box...With 85-86 time period they switched scale shield to BUCK and dropped the knife and bolt for 5 or 6 years....

Corrections to above welcome or at least willing to discuss.:p
Click to expand...

Thanks again 300Bucks, Great information.....very nice knives too!
 
300
I am so looking forward to seeing all the pictorial chronologies of the 300s. Every time I see one of these from you I see something new. We talked a while ago about putting them all together as a history. I hope you are still moving forward with that. I am sure that all the Buck brothers would love to see it as well. How is it coming along?

There is one other 305 worth mentioning, the Clipper. Somewhere around 1988 or so Buck was talking with Wenger, the SAK manufacturer, about producing a series of ‘Swiss Bucks’. Buck decided to test the waters, so to speak, and came out with the 305 Clipper. The Clipper is based on the 305 Lancer but has a couple of obvious differences. Instead of a copping blade there is a pair of scissors. There is a split ring on one end to attach the knife to a key ring. The Clipper came in black (yes that’s right, black) but it also came in a bunch of pastel colours as well as brown picked bone. I am not at home but I remember 89 and 90 year stamps. In the end Buck did collaborate with Wenger and a series of Swiss Bucks were available for about 10 years. They are the only SAKs I have ever seen with clip blades.
 
Does anyone remember the 305 that had a pair of scissors in it instead of the small blade?
 
Ask and yee shall find. Photo of Clippers, will make closeup and do another in a bit.:D


 
Quick and dirty picture of brown bone clipper will mentioned and a brown bone limited edition 305. Since there is a couple of guys interested I will assemble all the remaining 305's for another final series photograph. I am right in the middle of hanging a new window blind and she is standing behind me in the door way with a screwdriver in her hand. I must type with a slightly turned head or.....:eek:

 


Remaining 305's , if anyone knows of another version I would appreciate the knowledge.

Red Clipper on top, note smooth scale on clipper, also smooth scale red 305, wanna bet they were using some extra clipper scales on 305's, then sawcut red, sawcut yellow, red bone, brown bone(note no knife and bolt shield), brown bone limited and stag. On this stag one side is fat other is normal. On the Clippers if you think you will collect yourself a set of all the colors, better start looking for a Lavender while your still young. They are hard to come by.
Now that I have beat a dead horse to a standstill that folks is the end of the 305 saga.......:p

PS I will email any of my photos if anyone wants them.
 
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