503C coating on blade?

[DesertChris]

Ok, I scored this 503C off the bay the other day.

First off...it came with this sheath that to me looks like something 5hat came with the Scoutlite back in the late 80's...

Second....the blade seems to have some sort of clear coating on it...was there a coating used in that time frame?
It sure doesn't look like the other Buck's I have....I put a 55 next to it for comparison.
Not sure if it is possible to see the "texture" difference from the photos....

 

[DesertChris]

While I am asking...is there an easy way to remove the etching of a company logo off a blade without wrecking the "grain" on the blade?
I got that 55 from the bay, and you couldn't see the darn logo on the blade in the auction photos.
Not a big deal but I prefer no random company logos on my edc knives...lol

 

[David Martin]

No clear coating used on the blades back then. Fine steel wool will remove the company's name. DM

 

[DesertChris]

No clear coating used on the blades back then. Fine steel wool will remove the company's name. DM

Thank you! I have some fine steel wool so I'll give that a go.

So no clear coating in that era.
It is very odd... The only other knife I have from that time frame is a 1993 Vanguard. And it has the same look as the rest of my blades.
This 503C is definately different...did they do any bead blasting or other stuff back then?
Or perhaps experiment with other grades of metal?
I am truly puzzled by this one.