Is my Buck 188 (M9) Bayonet rare?

D

dpsk

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Nov 7, 2019
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I bought a Buck manufactured 188 (M9) Bayonet back in early 1989 from the BX at Little Rock AFB. I was doing some research on it, and it seems I might have a somewhat rare version. It's stamped with the 1987 date code ">" on the blade ricasso. Based on what I've read on M9bayonet.com, it seems as if it could be one of 1,200 early produced M9s that has the date code actually stamped on the blade ricasso.
Here's the article I found:

https://m9bayonet.com/buck-phrobis-m9.html

Although mine is stamped on the side that says Buck, it certainly is the 1987 date code.
Here's a picture of my 188 (M9) - right side ricasso stamped Buck, left side stamped Phrobis:

Buck-188.jpg


M9-Phrobis-side.jpg


The only thing that's different, mine is stamped on the "Buck" side vs. the "Phrobis" side. What do you think?
 
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I looked in the book by Richard Neyman M9 BAYONET-THE AUTHORIZED HISTORY. On page 303 it shows a 1987 M9 Buck 188 U.S.A.>and on the reverse side M9 Phrobis III U.S.A. Pat. Pend., Just like yours. I read a little and on page 306 it says " The Four Line Civilian 1987" is similar to the three line but with addition of the patent pending marking. The reverse side of the 1987 civilian looks exactly like a three line version. The amount made is on page 301 and total of the exact same knife is 14,495 made from Jan. 1987 to Dec. 1987 This number includes both variations. That's approx. 40 - 50 knives per day.

SPECIAL NOTE: THERE ARE TWO VARIATIONS FROM 1987: A three-line and a four line civilian. All civilian crossguard , latches, and latch plates were in black oxide as buck switched to 420 steel. Yours has 425 steel,57 plus RC hardness.
Handle: Zytel; Sheath : Zytel ; Buck Part : #O188-CB-0 Catalog # 1456. This is all from the book and not hearsay.

It shows the three and four line and has the same quantity 14,495 for both. Far more than the 1200 reported. The book is well worth the money, saw a few paperbacks for $50 , if you are going to continue to collect M9 Bayonets.
 
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JOE NOWICKI said:
I looked in the book by Richard Neyman M9 BAYONET-THE AUTHORIZED HISTORY. On page 303 it shows a 1987 M9 Buck 188 U.S.A.>and on the reverse side M9 Phrobis III U.S.A. Pat. Pend., Just like yours. I read a little and on page 306 it says " The Four Line Civilian 1987" is similar to the three line but with addition of the patent pending marking. The reverse side of the 1987 civilian looks exactly like a three line version. The amount is on page 301 and total of the exact same knife is 14,495 made from Jan. 1987 to Dec. 1987 This number includes both variations.

SPECIAL NOTE: THERE ARE TWO VARIATIONS FROM 1987: A three-line and a four line civilian. All civilian crossguard , latches, and latch plates were in black oxide as buck switched to 420 steel. Yours has 425 steel,57 plus RC hardness.
Handle: Zytel Sheath : Zytel Buck Part : #O188-CB-0 Catalog # 1456. This is all from the book and not hearsay.

It shows the three and four line and has the same quantity 14,495 for both. Far more than the 1200 reported. The book is well worth the money, saw a few paperback for $50 on eBay, if you are going to continue to collect M9 Bayonets.
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Wow - that's awesome - thank you very much for the info! Even though it's not as rare as I'd hoped, I'm still happy that it's an early example. I've never used the actual blade for anything, although I have used it's included fire starter. Overall, it's in excellent condition.
 
I read the first paragraph and now I realize why you think you may have a rare bayonet. Yes the date code was mistakenly put on the bayonet without Phrobis knowing and it was against the military specs. The > was in violation of Army specs. The Commercial blades were allowed to keep the markings as seen on your 188.
 
If you have the sheath with the wirecutter and want to keep the knife from getting scratched don't put the knife in the sheath wirecutter. You just said something that caught me! the 188 did not come with a FIRESTARTER that I know of? I checked the Bay and there are several for sale.
 
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JOE NOWICKI said:
If you have the sheath with the wirecutter and want to keep the knife from getting scratched don't put the knife in the sheath wirecutter. You just said something that caught me! the 188 did not come with a FIRESTARTER that I know of? I checked the Bay and there are several for sale, one for $155 others much more.
Click to expand...

Mine has the rectangular steel block with the firestarter on the edge that was included in the pouch on the sheath. The coating on the steel block kind of corroded (or something), so I ended up cleaning it off and removed the coating. Might have been because it was stored in the pouch for many years when I lived in more humid environments (North Carolina and Arkansas). I have placed the knife in the wire cutter to check fit, but I've never used it as such...

Here's the knife and sheath.

M9-Bayonet.jpg


PS: I now store it in my gun safe where I have desiccant pouches.
 
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Yes it could be corrosion or cosmoline coated, which can be taken off,it is viscous when applied and hardens over time. You can coat with a wax and not put it in the pouch after cleaning. I looked at your pic. of knife and sheath. They are in VG condition. I have a 4x6 inch box of desiccant I bought for my gun safe which also contains many knives. I keep the majority of my knife collection in display cases and they seem to keep better without any verdigris. I hope you continue to gather more Buck knives in the future. I know for a fact that after I cleaned a Buck 110 and put it back in the leather sheath in one month time it had verdigris on the brass bolsters. So that is why I am saying to coat the firestarter with a layer of wax and not store it in the pouch. That is only my belief even though the pouch is not leather.

P.S. Oh yes you cannot get a 188 much earlier than yours, you did well and have a mighty fine example of a beautiful 188. Keep it that way and the only way the price will go is up!!! It looks to be in quite good shape as you well know along with the sheath. Some have the top strap missing on the sheath and still bring in a good price. The Buck civilian 188 AKA M9 Bayonet was mfg. from 1987 - 1997. Yours is the first 188 of chapter 11 in the book.
 
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JOE NOWICKI said:
Yes it could be corrosion. You can coat with a wax and not put it in the pouch after cleaning. I looked at your pic. of knife and sheath. They are in VG condition. I have a 4x6 inch box of desiccant I bought for my gun safe which also contains many knives. I keep the majority of my knife collection in display cases and they seem to keep better without any verdigris. I hope you continue to gather more Buck knives in the future. I know for a fact that after I cleaned a Buck 110 and put it back in the leather sheath in one month time it had verdigris on the brass bolsters. So that is why I am saying to coat the firestarter with a layer of wax and not store it in the pouch. That is only my belief even though the pouch is not leather.

P.S. Oh yes you cannot get a 188 much earlier than yours, you did well and have a mighty fine example of a beautiful 188. Keep it that way and the only way the price will go is up!!! It looks to be in quite good shape as you well know along with the sheath. Some have the top strap missing on the sheath and still bring in a good price. The Buck civilian 188 AKA M9 Bayonet was mfg. from 1987 - 1997. Yours is the first 188 of chapter 11 in the book.
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Joe, you are a wealth of knowledge and I appreciate all the info!
I used to frequent the sporting goods section in the BX at LRAFB. I stumbled upon this bayonet by chance while looking for fishing gear (probably looking for a fillet knife). At the time, I didn't even notice it was a Buck (I only owned a 112 at the time). Anyway, I thought it was cool, and from what I recall the price was decent (BX had great prices compared to other stores), so I nabbed it. It (obviously) ended up just sitting around for most of it's life (I have other knives that I used for different purposes). I don't recall that it came in a box, although I can't imagine it didn't. If so, I unfortunately threw the box out long ago. Too bad I did - and too bad I used the firestarter and it had some corrosion. I imagine it would command a higher price if I had kept everything in prime condition. I guess it doesn't matter, as I plan on keeping it.
Anyway, as I said, I really appreciate the info.
Dave
 
I bought the book because I have quite a few 188's and did not know what I had. I started to sell off my 110's but still have quite a few among 184 Buckmasters and other fixed blades which I plan to keep. The 110's are pretty much the same from year to year I kept the custom knives. I sold the earlier versions V1V1 and a Version 1 variation 2. made in 1964 the first Buck 110's. I still have Version 3 Variation 6,7,8,9 just to say I have them. They are in the safe. If you get into keeping Buck knives you'll understand what I am speaking of with these very early knives. I'm glad I never started keeping 112's. They just don't suit me. Too small I guess. Dave, I have dementia problems and all that I wrote came from the book. I am not a wealth of knowledge just a person who has what it takes to answer a question. Maybe I can be called someone who can teach another with knowledge at what I have at my disposal. There are many on this forum that could have answered your question and since they did not I feel very good that I did help you know more about the knife you own.
Take Care Dave,
JOE
 
Thank you for the compliments on my book. It was a combined effort of over 9 years to write and i piggy backed it off my “BuckMaster Knives” book release in 2011. TIME flys. In short everything stated on this post is correct. I’m cool with you using my info as long as myself and my book in this case “M9 Bayonet the Authorized History” is used and referenced. That’s the whole reason I wrote this second book. So all I can say is keep posted to SHOT Show 2020 in a few weeks. Listen to the pod Cast “ Talking Lead” hosted by Lefty. Buck introducing some Cool knives right up everyone’s ally here on this forum
 
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