Couple Buck 703 Questions

[Joe58]

The 703 is one of my favorite models and I carry one pretty much daily. I won this one off the auction site and I’m curious about it. The main blade has the older pre-86 script Buck logo, with custom under it as opposed to the model and date code. Just looking at the pics from the listing, (knife isn’t here yet) I’m not seeing what’s custom about it. Unless Buck offered it with different blade material?

Also, anyone know the years that style box was used?

Thanks! Joe

 

[Old Biker]

The 703 is one of my favorite models and I carry one pretty much daily. I won this one off the auction site and I’m curious about it. The main blade has the older pre-86 script Buck logo, with custom under it as opposed to the model and date code. Just looking at the pics from the listing, (knife isn’t here yet) I’m not seeing what’s custom about it. Unless Buck offered it with different blade material?

Also, anyone know the years that style box was used?

Thanks! Joe
View attachment 1673517View attachment 1673518

I don't see anything obvious that says custom to me either. But my script two back spring 703, does not have the word custom on the tang stamp. So there is something different. Even if it is just the tang stamp. Do you know if the knife is a two or a three back spring knife. I believe David Martin was the 700 line expert. That doesn't help much now. But might help focusing searches. I'm sure there are others, that know more about that line than me, and will chime in. I agree the 703 is a favorite.

O.B.

 

[bertl]

I don't see anything obvious that says custom to me either. But my script two back spring 703, does not have the word custom on the tang stamp. So there is something different. Even if it is just the tang stamp. Do you know if the knife is a two or a three back spring knife. I believe David Martin was the 700 line expert. That doesn't help much now. But might help focusing searches. I'm sure there are others, that know more about that line than me, and will chime in. I agree the 703 is a favorite.

O.B.

From the photo, the scales look like wood, not micarta; however, offhand the wood doesn't look like the typical stained birch. When you get the knife maybe you'll see something.

Bert

 

[Joe58]

I’m figure three spring model since the sheepsfoot is opposite the main blade. I have only seen models with the sheepsfoot on the same side as the main blade be two spring. From what I can tell looking in my collection, they must have switched in 86 from two to three springs, as I have samples of both two spring & three, dated 86. These models used rosewood and not the stained birch.

I’ve recently been able to get at least one sample of every dated issues from 86 to 2001, 2001 being the last year catalogued. But most aren’t boxed, so that’s why I asked about which year those boxes were used. But this is the first one I’ve seen marked custom. I wondered if sometime back it was repaired/rebladed by the custom shop? But who knows. Could have come from one of the other models that used the same blade. I have one 703 with a 704 blade in it.

 

[plb]

Joe58, you might find Larry's write up in the June 2003 BCCI newsletter helpful. He said the 700 series was available in the custom shop with various inlays and steels.

 

[Joe58]

Ah, great! I’ll look for it!

Thank you PLB.

 

[mobenzowner]

it is a great knife. I have 3 of that series with boxes.
701 Bronco
703 Colt
709 Yearling.

Also have the 503 Prince. Good luck on your quest for more info!