Buck Vanguard -- What year did Production Begin?

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SOUTHERN WOODS

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Nov 17, 2011
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Anyone happen to know what year Buck began producing the Vanguard? Specifically the black rubberized handle model?
 
SOUTHERN WOODS said:
Anyone happen to know what year Buck began producing the Vanguard? Specifically the black rubberized handle model?
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Both of the Vanguards, both the rubber and wood handled, were introduced in the 1992 catalog. I suppose it's possible that some were produced in 1991prior to showing up in the catalog, but I don't know if that happened.
 
.....sorry for the horrible picture...trust me, it's a 692 blade with a 1991 (+) date code.....

6921991.jpg
 
DeSotoSky said:
.....sorry for the horrible picture...trust me, it's a 692 blade with a 1991 (+) date code.....
Click to expand...

I suspected that they might be out there. Like the new 302 model introduced in the 2011 catalog, but are to be found with 2010/302 blades.
 
Plumber, I had suspected this as well but had not seen a confirmation of it. Also, the blade in the photo looks polished further than this model was normally taken in production. Buck often did the introductory models different and this one could be expressing this. We just had this same subject a week or so ago... DM
 
David Martin said:
.... the blade in the photo looks polished further than this model was normally taken in production. Buck often did the introductory models different and this one could be expressing this ....... DM
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Yes David, it is a polished blade with a gold etched scene.
1n 1991, I'm not sure if that would make it Aurum or in house by Buck. I've a little research to do on this knife yet.
 
I've checked the Special Projects list and the only ones I found from that time period with a gold etched blade was "Legends of the Old West". It says they were serial numbered XXX/500, says only 250 were made but it says that the earliest tang stamp known was 1993, came with sheath, COA and display case. No mention of who did the etch.
 
Coincidently I just purchased a 692 with rubber handle during Christmas holidays from an antique store. I asked to see it as I don't have that model and she said $35 which I thought fair cause the knife looked very new and just the other night I checked the symbol date for "+" and I was surprised to learn they were around that long. I figured it was much more recent. It's a nice feeling knife btw.... :->
 
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