Is this a Barrel Nut 116?

Generalist

Generalist

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I was high bidder on this barrel nut knife yesterday. It was sold as a 116, the last of the 100 series barrel nut models. They were made from ground down 102 and 118 blades during this period, and when buying one these days you always wonder whether it was really a factory 116 or if someone ground a different model down to that shape sometime in the subsequent 60-some years. This one is in rough shape, but maybe it's the real deal? I'd appreciate any expert opinions or just casual guesses. My best guess is yes because of the shape of the finger guard spacers in the 4th photo (lack of protruding guard).

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This borrowed photo from Larry Oden's "Holding an Edge" shows the 116 barrel nut variations. It's remarkable that he was able to find all 4. These pictured knives show a lot of variation in guard and blade shape.
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Generalist Generalist​

Les Bowman, who suggested the 116 Caper design to Buck, had an interesting career. He was one of the first to have a commercial pilot's license and did early work as an aviation engineer. Later he bought a ranch near Cody, Wyoming and became a leading outfitter for trophy hunting. He is also credited with major contributions in development of the 7mm Remington Magnum cartridge.

Bert
 
Thanks Bert. Les's feedback must have carried significant weight to result in a new Buck product line.

A bit more history from Larry's article in the Summer 2007 BCCI newsletter: "The Model 116 Throws a Curve Ball".

"In late 1962 or early 1963, the model 116 Caper was added to the Buck lineup.

Joe [Houser]'s research...indicates NO record of model 116s being sold from January through November of 1962!

I do not believe Buck had enough time to make that many of them before they switched the construction method to the pinned tang type."


Joe has narrowed down the switch from barrel nut to pinned tang to approximately May, 1963. So perhaps the barrel nut versions of the 116 were only produced for around 6 months, from ~December 1962 to ~May 1963.
 
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