maybe another way to date 317's - grasping at straws ?

gsea

gsea

Joined
Feb 7, 2014
Messages
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I know the nail nick and the sheath was talked about both with inconclusive results. So lets try the box. The older knives including the pile stamp ones have a box with a 317 sticker ( I am assuming Buck didn't have boxes made up yet) and open by lifting the top off.





The newer boxes are marked 317 and are a one piece box.





The later serrated version (89) has the newer box with a sticker noting it is the serrated knife version.



Conclusion: Can't tell when the box switched, but if you have a box with the sticker is is at the beginning of the release. And the new box started at least in 89 maybe sooner. Again a Buck mystery.
 
gsea, Joe Houser wrote an article in the collector's newsletters describing the boxes used and the dates they were used. I'll look that up for you. DM
 
I think the earlier boxes with the gold foil label saying 317 on the end may have been re-labeled 137 Steelmaster boxes. I think you have a good idea that is worth looking at. I will have to dig my boxes out.
 
I didn't find what I was hoping for. I guess the article was the 'Use and Care Papers' in the June 2008 newsletter. So, no help. DM
 
I would generally go with two piece box - older; one piece box - newer. But, unless you are dead dog sure your knife is its original box you could be wrong. When I started getting more than six 300s, I was lazy and just thru them empty in a file drawer with knives in a wall display. Now I have about 50 boxes that I can not swear on oath which knife went in them. Oh, maybe say a 321 box only has three knives to pick from so any used knife is out and then its just which looks best. I could call that NIB and only feel a little guilty........I have given up on aging these 317s down to more than older and newer.....serrated, etched and customs not included. 300Bucks
 
My Buck 317 came in a two piece box with the gold sticker for a label; I date it to very late 1978/early 1979 based on the literature packed with the knife and the box style. OH
 
300 I agree, but I do know these are the knives that came with these boxes I have never stored them separately. But again this is just a working hypothesis.
I have some other 317 with no boxes that I wouldn't even try to date.
I do have a question for you though, If I remember correctly you own some of the SMKW etched 317s. What do the boxes look like, I assume we know the release dat of these knives. Thanks for all the input everyone.
 
They use special boxes with a picture of the blade etching on the top. I think I have a photo of the Railroader knife with its box, let me look. 300
 
gsea, We found something that helps in dating with the use of care papers. It's in '124 Production Process' topic. Hoping this helps your interest. DM
 
David
Nice work. Not sure how accurate this could be for this reason. I have 3 317s complete with box and paper work. The first with the pile side stamp is easy and the paper work coincides with the production dates. The paperwork is printed with 4/4/72. Thats another unknown change when did the paperwork go to just the month and year? The 2nd knife is the the common stamp Buck 317 USA, the paper work is 12/78. Now for the monkey wrench, my serrated version produce in 89 has paper work dated 6/78. I am 99% sure that it is the original paperwork. Could that many of thousands been made up that they lasted to 89? My guess is that a lost box or stack of paperwork was found and just used up other wise I thank you are correct with the paperwork dating espically when there is the number of printed papers on the paperwork? Whew !!!

David Martin said:
gsea, We found something that helps in dating with the use of care papers. It's in '124 Production Process' topic. Hoping this helps your interest. DM
Click to expand...
 
I don't think that they printed up 11 years of paperwork. The more likely scenario is that the same printing press plate was used for many years. The date would have been engraved on the printing plate at the time it was made, the date would only change if the plate was replaced.
 
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300Bucks said:
They use special boxes with a picture of the blade etching on the top. I think I have a photo of the Railroader knife with its box, let me look. 300
Click to expand...

Here is the Railroader box. Purchased just the box at a knife show. The dealer said the knife was stolen from his table at a flea market leaving the empty box. It's a very unique and different box for Buck.

RailroaderBox01004_zps112ffe09.jpg


RailroaderBox01003_zpsc65506ed.jpg
 
Ok, your welcome. So, not much help. I wish we could find some info. toward the letter size or font the printers used then changed it at thus and so date. Perhaps the color of ink used. We'll keep looking. DM
 
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