Is there a way to tell how old a buck knife might be?

[Kneecleaver]

I am curious, as my Grandmother gave me a Buck model #119
about eight years ago. It has no sheath, as she had a slot cut into a bench in her basement and it sat under a rusty paint can, with the bottom cut out. She said it was there for her protection, and had been there for a while. She was moving, so she didn't need it anymore. Also, can anyone tell me what this knife was designed for? is it a field/utility knife, a fighter style, I am not sure as I am fairly new to learning about knives. And in your opinions, is it a good design for what it is designed for?
Thank you.

 

[CJ Buck]

There are numerous ways to tell the age of the knife as we were still learning how to make knives at the beginning so our changes and improvements can give a window of when the knife was made. In later models we added a date code to the tang stamp to say what year it was made in.

The 119 Special was one of our first designs. It evolved from custom knife orders from the 40's and 50's when we were still a custom knife shop. In the early 60's it was pretty much the same is current production. The knife was a general utility knife that could function as a fighter. It saw it's share of service in Viet Nam. It has skinned many an elk-deer or bear. It has whittled tent pegs and V-branch fishing pole holders.

I am sure either collector club membership or Joe will clear up the exact age of the knife. If you can post a picture that would help immeasurably. If not any details you can give on the blade grind, exact stamp, trim configuration and handle would help the guys gauge the age.

 

[Kneecleaver]

Thank you very much, I will try to get a picture of it on here, but it will be about a month before I will be able to, as I travel with work. And thank you for the description of its proper use.