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Buck 703 information

C

Capt_T

Joined
Sep 16, 2025
Messages
5
Hi all! New here, but looking for all the information you can give me on this knife. I've had this one for over 20 years, locked up in my safe. I pulled it out the other day and realized that I know nothing about it. I've loved it but other than what the previous owner told me, I have zero facts about it. Is it old? How old? Rare? Valuable?

The gentleman I got it from was immersed in the knife world but he has since passed on. What info is available? Buck themselves didn't know much at all, so I've decided to try out here. Many thanks in advance!


 
Welhttps://www.bladeforums.com/threads/can-someone-tell-me-about-the-buck-703.606204/come to the forum. Can't discuss values unless you're a gold member or higher. This model is discussed in various threads, use the search function. Here's one to get you started...

dipbait

Thread 'Can someone tell me about the BUCK 703?'

I picked it up at a pawn shop. Its cherry, for twelve dollars. Made in the USA. Is it old , rare? Is it collectable or should I just use it?

2008-12-20.jpg
 
pjsjr said:
Welhttps://www.bladeforums.com/threads/can-someone-tell-me-about-the-buck-703.606204/come to the forum. Can't discuss values unless you're a gold member or higher. This model is discussed in various threads, use the search function. Here's one to get you started...

dipbait

Thread 'Can someone tell me about the BUCK 703?'

I picked it up at a pawn shop. Its cherry, for twelve dollars. Made in the USA. Is it old , rare? Is it collectable or should I just use it?

2008-12-20.jpg
Click to expand...
Thank you but I did read that thread but I do not recall any of them mentioning the stag handles.. which should speak to how rare it is.. The value of the knife was less important.

There were some things that my pal knifetrader told me that I did not include here because I wanted opinions on my specific knife. Forgive me, but I am a novice.

I wasn't trying to sell it, my friend cared for it and thought enough of me to gift it to me and I wouldn't sell it for a thousand dollars..
 
Last edited:
Welcome to BladeForums, C Capt_T !

There are some super knowledgeable Buck folks on here who’ll be along shortly, I’m sure.

The 700 series are my favorite slipjoints, ever. The 704 Maverick is my favorite - it’s the single blade version that’s the same size as your 703 Colt.

I believe the 703 Colt was introduced in 1980, and the Script tang stamp font means it isn’t newer than 1986. That means the blade steel should be 425Mod - one of my favorites.

Somewhere along the way the 700 series changed from the more squared-off stainless steel bolsters (yours), to a slightly more rounded nickel silver bolsters.

Factory stag scales were available, but I haven’t seen any that look like yours. For comparison, I’ll re-post your picture of your knife, and a picture of some of my 704’s showing the two styles, and what the factory stag looked like. I haven't seen a factory stag 700 knife with scale pins like yours has. Are you sure your knife is stag and not another material like horn or wood? It's hard for me to tell in the picture.

I haven’t seen any 700 series knives with that style shield before. Maybe your knife was customized after it left the factory? Maybe a previous owner replaced a lost shield?

Can you post a picture of the other side of the knife, please?

IMG_3966.png

https://flic.kr/p/2qWtDo7
 
To my eye, it appears that the KBH (knife, bolt, hammer) escutcheon was "onlayed" to the original BUCK shield. Neither the scales, not pins appear to me of factory or custom shop quality.
If I had to guess... I'd say with 94.7% certainty that it's not a factory creation.

I remember being wrong once before, though my wife will say it happens considerably more often.
 
MT_Pokt said:
To my eye, it appears that the KBH (knife, bolt, hammer) escutcheon was "onlayed" to the original BUCK shield. Neither the scales, not pins appear to me of factory or custom shop quality.
If I had to guess... I'd say with 94.7% certainty that it's not a factory creation.

I remember being wrong once before, though my wife will say it happens considerably more often.
Click to expand...
I agree.


Also, I thought I was wrong once, but it turns out I was mistaken. But I've learned so much from my mistakes that I'm considering making more of them. LOL!
 
Here was the story as told to me.. I have some of the older emails to confirm part of this.

My friend who went by the cb handle knifetrader was really into these knives. He sent it back to Buck for new springs. They told him back then that only one sales rep in the country ordered knives like this and would like to have it back. They offered him several different knives in trade. After refusing their offers, they told him that they were afraid that they might damage the handles during reassembly. My friend told them that if they did, just box it all up and send them back. They did and shortly afterwards, he gave the knife to me. I've kept it safe since. That's really all I know.

I just wanted to emphasize that Buck was very interested in keeping it for themselves..
 
jb4570 said:
Here is a set of 700 series knives from the old custom shop (note the handle pins). These two are special.



Now these are the only 700 series with factory stag with pins I have seen. The OP's knife looks aftermarket to me. as noted by others that incert is not factory.
Click to expand...
Those are gorgeous!
 
Culprit99 said:
Welcome to BladeForums, C Capt_T !

There are some super knowledgeable Buck folks on here who’ll be along shortly, I’m sure.

The 700 series are my favorite slipjoints, ever. The 704 Maverick is my favorite - it’s the single blade version that’s the same size as your 703 Colt.

I believe the 703 Colt was introduced in 1980, and the Script tang stamp font means it isn’t newer than 1986. That means the blade steel should be 425Mod - one of my favorites.

Somewhere along the way the 700 series changed from the more squared-off stainless steel bolsters (yours), to a slightly more rounded nickel silver bolsters.

Factory stag scales were available, but I haven’t seen any that look like yours. For comparison, I’ll re-post your picture of your knife, and a picture of some of my 704’s showing the two styles, and what the factory stag looked like. I haven't seen a factory stag 700 knife with scale pins like yours has. Are you sure your knife is stag and not another material like horn or wood? It's hard for me to tell in the picture.

I haven’t seen any 700 series knives with that style shield before. Maybe your knife was customized after it left the factory? Maybe a previous owner replaced a lost shield?

Can you post a picture of the other side of the knife, please?

View attachment 2977779

https://flic.kr/p/2qWtDo7
Click to expand...
Here is the other side.


Like I mentioned before, I only know what was explained to me by the last owner. And really, it's just been sitting in my gun safe for the last 20 years. One more question, is this knife considered to be in good shape?


But thank you to everyone that has commented on my post. Much appreciated.
 
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