Is this a "500"?

[Plumberdv]

I don't have a great photo yet, but maybe this will do. Is this a Duke 500? That's what it looks like to me and I was wondering if anyone knows when they were made and how many.
It's an Arizona Highway Patrol Commemorative (1931 to 1981). Made in '81 or later?

 

[edbeau]

Nice knife for sure.

 

[sidecarr]

Looks like a 500 to me . nice

 

[jb4570]

Hi PBD,

Yes that is a Duke 500, The Arizona Hi way patrol LE, issued in 1981 and is the second 500 LE ever issued. The first 500 LE was the Arizona Game and Fish department ( AZ theme).

Here is a close up with a 112 for size comparison.


Here is a few more with the F&G 500 issued in 1979

 

[Plumberdv]

Many thanks jb, that's very good information. This one should be here sometime next week so I can really check it out. The funny thing is that it doesn't appear to have a tang stamp.

 

[Plumberdv]

By the way jb, those are beautiful knives. I just aquired my first "Duke" a few days ago, stag with finger grips, and I was surprised at the size. I have several 501's but never thought that the 500 was the same size as the 112. They could easily become one of my favorites.

 

[sidecarr]

Hey jb4570 the 500 on the bottom with the eagles is the same one I have ,brought it at gander mountain in the late 80's at gander mountain. used it as a carry for several years ,think the 500 is the perfect size ,really great knife

 

[jb4570]

Many thanks jb, that's very good information. This one should be here sometime next week so I can really check it out. The funny thing is that it doesn't appear to have a tang stamp.

Hay PBD,

When that one comes in, please post a photo of the tang on your knife. Also post a photo of your FG stag. I have a few stag LE's 500's in my accumulation.

jb4570

 

[jb4570]

Hey jb4570 the 500 on the bottom with the eagles is the same one I have ,brought it at gander mountain in the late 80's at gander mountain. used it as a carry for several years ,think the 500 is the perfect size ,really great knife

Sidecarr,

The Duke 500 is one of my favorite buck models. That gold etch with the Eagle is also one of my favorite LE designs.

jb4570

 

[sidecarr]

I was real sorry to see the 500 discontinued ,its always been one of my faverites as well

 

[bucksway]

Thats close to a 112! I neaver seen one in person...

 

[imafritz]

i was real sorry to see the 500 discontinued ,its always been one of my faverites as well

love em!!!! WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DISCONTINUED THEM :grumpy:

 

[Plumberdv]

Hay PBD,

When that one comes in, please post a photo of the tang on your knife. Also post a photo of your FG stag. I have a few stag LE's 500's in my accumulation.

jb4570

I decided to put up this picture now. I'll do the AHP one when I get it. These are top to bottom:
BCCI Club Stag 111FG
Custom Shop Stag 112 FG w/ S30V drop point blade
Duke 500 Stag FG

The 112 and the 500 are very, very close in size.

 

[jb4570]

I decided to put up this picture now. I'll do the AHP one when I get it. These are top to bottom:
BCCI Club Stag 111FG
Custom Shop Stag 112 FG w/ S30V drop point blade
Duke 500 Stag FG

The 112 and the 500 are very, very close in size.

Thanks for the photo PBD. Your FG stag 500 is very nice, as are the rest of the trio :thumbup:

jb4570

 

[Plumberdv]

I got the knife and it does have a tang stamp after all. It just didn't show up in the other photo. It's Buck (old script) over 500 over USA.

I've decided that I really like the 500 after getting this and the stag one. I went ahead and picked up the LE Texas Star model today and will have it day after tomorrow. I also bought another plain jane 500 so I can EDC one.