Dating the phenolic handled sheath knives.

dsutton24

dsutton24

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Is there a good resource that would help date the early phenolic handled sheath knives? I've Googled around and found references to dating guides, but no guides themselves. My beat-to-hell Levine's has some limited information. But, thus far I haven't found anything comprehensive.

What I know (I think...):

The switch from the barrel nut to the pinned pommel: 1962.
Buck* tang stamp: 1967
The addition of 'USA' to the tang stamp: 1967 - 1972
The addition of the model number: 1972 - 1985
The addition of the date code characters used on all Buck knives: 1986+

There are other details that should help date these knives, spacer materials, etc. Is there more information available?
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Not a bad start. Keep in mind that changes don't always happen on January 1st or a Monday for that matter and I round off to whole even years for simplicity.
I assign barrel nut knives with leather spacers to 1961 and fiber spacers to 1962.
Pinned construction starts about 1963.
Holster sheaths start about 1964.
1967 is generally considered a transition year with the tang transversing from BUCK to BUCK* to BUCK/USA. Having said that I saw a 120 last year with some late 1966 paperwork. Dating is an evolving process as more information is learned.
The spacer material changed from Fiber to Micarta during 1969. So 2-line fiber is 67-69 and 2-line micarta is 69-72.
Model numbers are added about 1972. Sooo.. 3-line inverted tang stamps are specific to 1972
The tang orientation changes from inverted to upright in 1973.
For all models except 119 and 120.... the front spacer under the guard is dropped in 1981 and the 2nd rear spacer is dropped in 1982.
The 119 and 120 transitioned to the 3-spacer configuration not long after the orientation change to upright.
Soooo...... 4 spacer 3-line upright tang stamps are very rare in the 119 and 120 but the most common configuration for all other models. The 3 spacer configuration is commonly found for the 119 and 120 and hard to find for all other models during that time period.

I'm sure I'll get picked at some but it's a starting place for discussion. /Roger
 
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Is there a way to date the sheaths or are there too many variations to tell ie... distressed black, brown
 
DeSotoSky said:
Not a bad start. Keep in mind that changes don't always happen on January 1st or a Monday for that matter...
Click to expand...

Thanks for all that information, it's very helpful.

I do understand that dating these things is an approximation up to the point that Buck started stamping dates into their blades, and even then there's some variability. Blades might sit in bins for a while before they're assembled into knives, and things like that. Also, Buck seems to be one of those outfits that doesn't throw much away. I like that.

I may collect what information I can and compile a list. Unless, of course something ready made comes along. :)
 
Many of us do it by the spacers. The number and material of the spacers. In 61 some were leather, then red gasket material, then maroon micarta. Then black. DM
 
When they used the leather spacers did they treat the leather to look similar to micarta or does it look like a leather edge, somewhat rough?
 
Here you go, a BUCK° 105 purchased on 28 JUN 66 (box ink-dated by my cousin when he purchased the knife). OH
Buck_105_Pathfinder_-_1966_with_box_papers.jpg

Buck_105_-_1966_after_initial_sharpening_1.jpg
 
sass, the leather spacers become deteriorated and cracked. Those were like 61-62 time-frame and had the barrel nut. Next were the gasket material w/ 4 spacers. 2 in the guard & 2 in the pommel. Buck followed this pattern with the micarta spacers. Around 1980 or 81 one was dropped in the finger guard. In 82 one was dropped in the pommel. Then the spacers became black at about the year date time. DM
 
Hunter, look on the back of your above sheath and tell us if it has a model number on it. Thanks, DM
 
TAH, I just went and looked at my 105 w/ that stamp and there is no rivet at the top of the sheath. There is a rivet on the belt loop and no
model number on my sheath. Expressing to me, these were before model numbers were designated. DM
 
Did they put the model #'s on the sheath before doing it on the blades? If so when did they start doing the sheaths?
 
David Martin said:
Hunter, look on the back of your above sheath and tell us if it has a model number on it. Thanks, DM
Click to expand...

There is no model number stamped in the back of the sheath.

TAH said:
Also curious if there is a rivet at the top of the stitching.
Click to expand...

There are two rivets on the back - one is centered in the stitching where the top of the leather loop is sew to the main sheath body, and another in the stitching where the bottom of the loop is sewn to the main sheath body. The bottom rivet is placed on the right side of the stitching, not centered.
 
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Ps. The label end of the top portion of the box is printed PATHFINDER MODEL No. 105
 
Hunter, my sheath has 2 rivets as well, like yours. Only both of mine are centered and stitched around the rivet. Interesting. DM
 
It has been stated and put forth in presentations the switch from gasket material to micarta was in late 69. Then model numbers were added in late 72 on the knives. But here we have an example of a model number on the box in 66. DM
 
The 1968 sheath had a model number on the strap (belt loop).

Bert
 
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