Buck 119 and 120 sheaths

[Misfit-45]

I'm trying to understand the changeover from the unmarked sheath, to the model number marked sheaths. Did the sheaths, marked with the model number, come in to being with the two line knives or were the marked sheaths introduced between the two line Bucks and the three line Bucks?
I have a two line 120 with an unmarked sheath. Would that suggest that my knife was made early in the two line period, such as 1967-68? Newbie question. Thanks
Marv

 

[jbmonkey]

anyone have help for this fella? I never kept up with sheaths or studied them. thanks.....

 

[topgun03]

From what I’ve seen, the model number was added to the sheaths with the 2-line knives. First the numbers were on the belt loop and had concave silver rivet and later it moved below the belt loop. The earlier sheaths had black convex rivets. The 1-line and 2-line sheaths had tooling lines on the belt loop and the “BUCK” stamp on the front flap was placed higher than the later sheaths that came with later 3-line knives. At some point, the sheath manufacturer changed and the tooling lines on the belt loop went away, I believe this occurred late in the 2-line era to early inv. 3-line era. There were probably some early 2-line knives that came with older sheath with no model number on the sheath. Also, the sheaths with model below the belt loop with tooling lines, have a black convex rivet like the early sheaths without model number.

Early 2-line 119

2-line model on belt loop

2-line model below belt loop

Inverted 3 line tip down blade stamp (notice no tooling lines on belt loop)

 

[Misfit-45]

Thanks for the great tutorial. I only have two fixed blade Bucks. My collecting emphasis is US bayonets, and a handful of military knives. The one and two line Buck 119, 120 and others were made during the Vietnam war and some were purchased by GIs in the PX.
My 119 is a one line and came with this sheath. Unlike the ones you show, the rivet on mine is flat and unpainted (maybe it was black at one time). You can click on the picture to make it bigger.
Thanks again. you gave me the answers I was looking for....and then some.
Marv

 

[topgun03]

I enjoy the small details and nuances between knives. The rivet on your sheath could be a replacement someone added or possibly a factory repair.