Buck "USS Constitution" knife

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kc1081

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Sep 2, 2004
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Any information on this knife would be appreciated. It is a Buck 500 that I purchased in 1987. It came with a certificate of authencity, which states, "The Trustess of the USS Constitution Museum Foundation certify that the wood and copper on the handle of this knife once formed integral parts of "OLD IRONSIDES" and were removed during official reconstruction or repair...." The blade is highly polished, and embellished with a gold ship and banner marked USS Constitution. The wood handle has a copper medalion in the center with an anchor and the words USS Constitution. The knife is numbered 514, and is housed in a wooden display box.

I acquired several "collector" Buck knives in 1986-87 that I suspect are of nominal value. However, this one seems special. From what I recall, the knife was once pictured in a dealer catalog, but was never listed on a form where it could be ordered, and no retail price was established.

I have several photos of the knife, but am not able to post on this forum. Again, any information would be apprecated.
 
Joe Houser may be able to shed some light on this. Many of these special types of knives are produced each year and someone from Buck would have to tell you how many were made, etc.
 
kc1081 Hope you can find something out as I have a 501 done the same way, but, my ship on the blade is black. I does however have the copper insert in the scale and they also appear to be oak. Someone told me that it was material removed from the restoration on the ship. Thanks
 
Hi KC1081, Your Buck "Duke 500" was made in 1988 acording to the new Blade's guide. There were two versoins issued; one version the handle was made out of deck wood material and the other version handle was made from birch. Both versions were issued at a quantiy of 500 each. Values listed are $175 for the deck wood version and $125 for the birch wood version. I would highly recomend buying a copy of the "Blade's guide to knives and their values" it is very informitive. Also if you would like to sell your Duke, I'll take it!!! Good luck with your collection and "keep em sharp".
 
Thank you for the information. Mine is obviously the deck wood version. But, curiously, as I stated before, is #514 in a series of 500?
 
kc1081 said:
Thank you for the information. Mine is obviously the deck wood version. But, curiously, as I stated before, is #514 in a series of 500?
Click to expand...

Maybe they numbered them consecutively and not concurrently... :confused:

(I had to dig out my dictionary to get those two right!) :D

I'd like to see those pics...If you can't post here, email the pics to me and I'll put them up in this thread... ;)
 
kc1081 said:
Thank you for the information. Mine is obviously the deck wood version. But, curiously, as I stated before, is #514 in a series of 500?
Click to expand...

That could be a member number . The BCCI does that on the club knives.. I don't know about that one.
 
kc1081, great looking knife and a great piece of history...literally. Preston
 
Kc1081, nice knife!!!! There was one on ebay just like it before xmas this year. However, it went above my limit and I don't remember how much it closed at. Not sure about the number thing, Maybe Joe H can give us some information on this one. Hint, Hint.
 
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