Buck 501 Script "Esquire" or "Squire" ?

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pbrDK

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Apr 25, 2026
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This is my first post/thread in this forum, so please have mercy on me :)

I live in Denmark and have a modest little collection of Buck knives and other brands - but Buck is my main interest. Today I received in the mail a knife that I was lucky to pick up at a Scandinavian auction site for not a lot of money. I was the only bidder, probably because the seller had misrepresented it somewhat and only provided one blurry photo. But I thought I could se a script tang stamp, so I went for it.

It is indeed a Buck 501 with Script tang stamp, no date code and with Micarta handles. I understand that the Script tang stamp puts the knife in the 1983 or older period, but also that the Micarta handles puts 2 more years on its shoulders, as I have read somewhere that Buck on this model moved from Micarta handles to wood in 1981.

I don't know when Buck initiated the model 501 and I would appreciate any feedback on the knife and particularly its approximate age.

It is in very good condition - the Micarta handles are flawless, the bolsters only has scuff marks from a life in a drawer and the blade, although it has been sharpened retains its profile.

I hope you can see the photos - they are uploaded to Flickr.

https://flic.kr/p/2sazcL8

https://flic.kr/p/2saxU6i

https://flic.kr/p/2saxU68
 
pbrDK said:
This is my first post/thread in this forum, so please have mercy on me :)

I live in Denmark and have a modest little collection of Buck knives and other brands - but Buck is my main interest. Today I received in the mail a knife that I was lucky to pick up at a Scandinavian auction site for not a lot of money. I was the only bidder, probably because the seller had misrepresented it somewhat and only provided one blurry photo. But I thought I could se a script tang stamp, so I went for it.

It is indeed a Buck 501 with Script tang stamp, no date code and with Micarta handles. I understand that the Script tang stamp puts the knife in the 1983 or older period, but also that the Micarta handles puts 2 more years on its shoulders, as I have read somewhere that Buck on this model moved from Micarta handles to wood in 1981.

I don't know when Buck initiated the model 501 and I would appreciate any feedback on the knife and particularly its approximate age.

It is in very good condition - the Micarta handles are flawless, the bolsters only has scuff marks from a life in a drawer and the blade, although it has been sharpened retains its profile.

I hope you can see the photos - they are uploaded to Flickr.

https://flic.kr/p/2sazcL8

https://flic.kr/p/2saxU6i

https://flic.kr/p/2saxU68
Click to expand...
Last year I bought two early 501s and did a lot of research on the model. I'll try to post some information later today. Yours is from 1978 - 1980, old English script tang stamp, 440C blade, stainless steel frame, and burgundy linen "Buckarta" covers. The model name was Esquire and they did not come with a belt sheath. Great find!

Of my two, one is in very good like-new condition and one was a bit rough, so I sent it to Buck for their SPA treatment and new 2025 420HC blade.
 
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Here's an earlier post that provides good information (click to go to that thread):

CSG

Thread 'Dating question on pre-code date 501's'

Hi all, first visit (that I can recall) into the Buck forum. Longtime fan of the traditional models and have a 119 (1992), 110 (2008), and two 501's. Somewhere in this house I have my 110 from about 1973/4 that I bought as a recommendation from fellow deputies in my department in those days. I've misplaced it but it's here somewhere. I bought a replacement many years ago just to be sure one was at hand.

My real question in my original 501. I'd misplaced that one too and bought a replacement around 2000 and the date code on the newer 501 confirms it. My original turned up (buried in...

Here are some excerpts from an article on the BCCI website:

The 500 series of slimline, lockback folders has remained in the Buck catalog since 1975 when the first model 501 Esquire was introduced.... According to Joe Houser's research of Buck archives, the first blueprint for the 501 is dated December 1973. In July of 1974, the first prototypes, which had non-locking blades, were built. It was February 1975 before the first knives were shipped to dealers. The first catalog featuring the 501 is dated May 1975.... The handles were described as “red Buckarta” and the exposed rocker rivet is clearly seen in the picture. These earliest 501s with the exposed rocker rivet seem to have a distinctly “cluttered” look. [I can't locate the specific reference right now, but I recall that the rocker rivet was hidden under the covers starting in 1978.] Of course, the “red” Buckarta was actually a burgundy linen micarta.... ...the tang stamp was the familiar three line: BUCK (script) / 501/ U.S.A.... A major construction change was announced in the 1981 catalog. Each of the four base models in the [500] series now sported handle inlays of impregnated birch.... The 1985 catalog indicates that the 501 name had been shortened to Squire....

All that adds up to 1978 - 1980 for your 501 Esquire.
 
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I am not sure where I found this chart, but it restates what Ace Rimmer provided.
55242709964_3b159b21d1_b.jpg
 
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Thank you all for your valuable and insightful comments - everything points to my knife being a 501 Esquire from 1978-80. I have sent a selection of photos of the knife to history@buckknives.com and asked them if they are able to confirm the age and designation of the knife. A certificate of authenticity would of course be nice, but I don't know if that is possible just on the basis of photos and without having the knife in hand.
 
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