Age of a 703

[pa knifeguy]

Hi Guys, I'm curious how to tell the age of a Buck 703 my boss just gave me.
He pulled out of a car he was hauling off for scrap and gave it to me.
It has dark cursive writing on the sheild not block letters like the sheild on JohnnyTwoshoes Grandpas knife if that helps.
I'm a little sketchy on my Buck history but didn't they stop making the 700 series in the late 80s?
I'm sorry I can't post pictures. The point is broken off the sheepsfoot blade and it looks like someone took a grinder to the main blade edge but the springs still snap good and she should clean up ok. Gonna be my new edc. I wish she could talk!
Thanks .

 

[Flatlander1963]

The script stamped knives in the 700 series were made in the early 80's. Production continued thru 1999 I believe. Some one will correct me if that's incorrect.
This is a picture of a 703 and a older 301.

This is one of my favorites and a primary carry knife. Looks like Axis scaled 701 that was a gift to me from PlummerDave.

And this is 701 I rehandled with smooth buffalo and gave to Plum.

The 700 series is simply one of the best slip joint stockman series ever IMO

 

[pa knifeguy]

Thanx Flatlander. Mine looks like the knife in the top picture only not as pretty.
I'm not complaining though I couldn't beat the price! Looking forward to cleaning her up and puttin her to work.
I plan on being a little kinder than the previos owner.

 

[HonkerRusty]

PA: The 703 Colt was introduced in the 1980 catalog and was discontinued in 2002. The introductory price was $22.00. Is the word Buck on the tang also in Script? If so, it is pre- 1986. I haven't heard of a good way to determine the specific date (pre-1986) made, other than a previous owner indicating when he bought it (verified). The blade steel in your model is 425 High Carbon. Prior to 10/23/86 the bolsters were stainless steel. Buck switched to nickel silver on that date. Also, on 1/7/85 Buck switched from polished back, belly and ends to a satin finish. Bolsters were still polished.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

You might want to just put her up on the shelf, some of the 7XX series had bad springs, mine broke on me after a couple openings. I sent it back to Buck, and got a 303 from them.