501 Sheath Question

m.and

m.and

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I recently purchased an early 501 Esquire that I think is probably a '78-'80 production year (burgundy micarta handles, hidden rocker pin). Included was an open top pouch type sheath with no flap (see picture below). From studying the catalog archive it looks like a sheath was not included with this model until '78 or '79. The current included sheath is the flap closure kind. What I'm wondering is if the open-top sheath is correct for this era of the Squire.

Best,
Matthew

 
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Just recently someone else posted in this Forum about this model and sheath. A sheath of any type did not normally come with that model. However, you have surmised the correct date of mfg.. The sheath looks to be a Buck made. Did you get the original box and papers? That would give us more information. DM
 
Hey David,

Unfortunately no box or papers with this one. Are you sure the 501 never came with a sheath? Starting with it's introduction in the 1975 catalog until 1977 it states "no sheath" included, but in the 1979 catalog the description reads "with sheath."
 
I've not seen one like yours. I dug around thru some of mine and found a flap over sheath. Not sure of the year. It has Buck on the snap. DM
 
Yeah, I have never seen a sheath like it before either. I haven't received it yet (should come on Friday). When it arrives I'll take some more detailed pictures.
 
Here's one with 1972 paperwork and the seller claims the knife was given to him as a gift in 1976. Not the same open sheath as yours, but it did come with a sheath.

s-l1600.jpg
 
Here's another with an open sheath. Seller claims the sheath came with the knife.

s-l1600.jpg


s-l1600.jpg
 
Here is a picture of mine that arrived yesterday. The knife is in absolute mint, unused condition, but the sheath does look like it may have been carried, so it's possible the sheath did not originally come with this particular knife. I also attached a picture of the open-top style sheath beside the flap-top sheath that came with my 1992 501.





 
m.and,

Curious, can you see my posts #6 and #7? I posted them on Thursday during the Cloud Flare problem and wasn't sure if they are showing up to other users. Great looking 501, BTW.
 
Thanks TAH, I did see your post but not until this morning and I never received an email that you replied. The description in the first sale you posted seems contradictory as I believe a 1976 501 would have an exposed rocker pin. What do you think?
 
Hey m. Unfortunately, I'm not knowledgeable on 501 history. I was focusing more on when Buck began supplying sheaths with the 501 and if I could find another example of an open top sheath paired up with a 501.
 
m.and said:
Thanks TAH, I did see your post but not until this morning and I never received an email that you replied. The description in the first sale you posted seems contradictory as I believe a 1976 501 would have an exposed rocker pin. What do you think?
Click to expand...

Buck hid the rocker rivet in 1977 for that model. The Buck 3 word snap came out in 1993. Knowing Buck a late 1992 time frame could fit. DM
 
This is purely speculative, but after rereading the Buck dealer catalogs here is what I believe.

1979 is the first catalog to mention the inclusion of a sheath with the 501. It also states that the 500 Duke comes with a sheath.


In 1980 the 500 copy elaborates to describe the sheath as "pouch-type sheath with snap", but the 501 is just described as "sheath" which could be the simpler, open-top style shown in my first post.


More evidence that points to the inclusion of a non-flap/snap sheath is cost of an extra. Below you can see that an extra 500 sheath is $4 and the 501 sheath is only $3. The lower price may due to the cost of fewer materials needed to make the open-top version.


Again, this is purely speculation based on the limited amount of historical research materials available to me, but it sure is fun studying these old Buck knives.

Best,
Matthew
 
Yes, I found that page and wording in a Buck catalog. Which is the sheath I have. So, I don't know about the other... DM
 
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