501 -- What Did I Just Find?

[Ace Rimmer]

A couple of hours ago I bought this Buck 501. I knew enough to realize the Old English script put it pre-1986 (or maybe pre-1985?). After coming home to do some research, it appears that the maroon micarta makes it pre-1982 or thereabouts. I realize that being more precise with the dating is difficult (or impossible). But I see one other feature of interest: the blade profile is the "fat behind the edge" profile just like my two dot 112 and 110. (In fact, my 110, which I have dated to 1974, is really fat behind the edge.) Wondering if this might be late 1970s, perhaps? And really hoping that it's 440C. Not sure it's ever been sharpened until today (and it sharpened up really nicely on E-Z Lap diamonds).
Oh, one other thing. I tried to lightly polish the bolsters with Case Paste (like Flitz) and I did not get any black residue the way I expect with nickel silver. Perhaps these are stainless steel?
Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Old English script
Maroon micarta
Two rivets
"Fat" edge
Stainless steel?

UPDATE: Ok, more searching turned up this post from ten years ago. Looks like 78-80, linen micarta, 440C, stainless steel bolsters. Oh, man, am I happy with my new Esquire!

 

[plb]

You have a nice example of an early 501 in beautiful condition. Joe Houser once wrote a very informative article about the 500 series. In it he said the first 501's came out in 1975 and had visible rocker pins. So yours isn't the first version, but since it has micarta scales - Buck called is Buckarta - it was made sometime between 1978 and 1981. After '81, they changed to impregnated birchwood handles. The 1979 catalog says the bolsters are stainless steel, and Buck's website states that 440C stainless steel was used for the blade material until 1981.

 

[bucksway]

When you find a special Buck.. it's a beautiful day!

 

[riversidedep]

As stated above, it's 440C. Nice knife.