4-Strike question

[DeSotoSky]

As I understand it refers to early Buck knives that were marked with the 4 letters B-U-C-K each stamped individually... 4 hammer strikes for 4 different single letter stamps. They are recognizable when the lettering does not line up perfectly. Is there an identifiable year (even approximate) that would mark the conversion from 4-strike to a single stamp? Is there overlap? I'm assuming it would be mid to late 40's or no later than early 50's. I have noticed the use of this term incorrectly on the cesspool of misinformation eBay multiple times with knives that are not even pre-factory. It just peaked my interest. Does anyone here on our forum have a picture of a 4-strike tang stamp to share?

 

[David Martin]

Sky, you ask a hard thing. This is not my knife it is a photo I took of Joe D.'s knife. So, I've held it in my hand and examined it. It is a group 5 knife from 1948, note the dot on each side of the Buck stamp. A 3 strike stamp '104' is on the other side. These models are the last of Hoyt Buck knives who passed away in mid 1949. (MH RIP) These are the last of the 'Single strike stamp'. So, a 'single strike stamped' knife from 1949 would be HARD to prove. DM

 

[David Martin]

You named the bay's pattern in putting forth, accurate, correct knowledge. Of course well researched. All part of the process of getting that sale. DM

 

[mbjannusch]

Desotosky

Its not a hard question if you ask the right people. The 4 strike stamp was used from the late 30s in the group one knives to early 1947 group 2 knives. In late 1947 the group 3 knives came out and a single strike stamp was used. The model # had nothing to do with the single or 4 strike rule. Obviously if a model # had 3 numbers it would be struck 3 times unless you had stamps from 1-1000. I have pictures representing 4 strike blade stamps that I can send you in an email if you'd like.