New old knife

According to the chart with "USA" and the model number, it is c.'73 to c.'86.
Reading with tip up, I don't think it is an inverted stamp, which may help narrow down the year.
I don't remember the dates the inverted stamps were used.
If pre c.1980/1981 it will have a 440C blade.
c.1980/c.1981 to c.1986 it will have a 425M blade.
I think it was in the early/mid 1990's they switched to 420HC.
 
Damien, 100 series knives, using Buck USA 119, before 1986 can be dated using the number and type of spacers. IIRC, three micarta spacers = 1981. Four micarta spacers = 1973-1980.

To post photos, use a hosting site, one that gives you a BBCode. Post that link in the 'Post Reply' box. HTH, Preston
 
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3 spacers on a 119 gives you about 1974 thru about 1981.
Your "swivel" style sheath narrows it down to about 1975/6 to about 1979.
Prior to that the holster style sheath was used and about 1980 the non-folded flat style sheath starts.
As with all things Buck, a little +/- sometimes applies.
....In my opinion.... /Roger

The swivel sheath may have started a bit earlier than I stated but hey, it's 1 am
and I not going to give it any more thought tonight.
 
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Can’t sheaths be switched? Enjoying this thread as i am only just getting started collecting Buck Fixed blade knives so opens up a whole new world! Am i doomed?
DN
 
Damien Bachman said:
All I know is that there is no date indication. Just ,Buck 119 U.S.A, So it’s older then 1986. The sheath is the classic black leather with Buck printed on the button snap, an 119 on the back. It’s a drop swivel designed sheath. I have pics. email above.
Click to expand...
Damien, welcome to the Buck Forum. When the knife has no year date stamp we have to use several items to date it. The stamp is just a small piece of info., the sheath is more, number of spacers are helpful & type and grind. This is why we ask for pictures. Some of the stamped used on a 110 were Not used on fixed blades. DM
 
Look in the topic, 'Vintage Buck 119' and see if a 119 pictured in that looks like your 119. DM
 
DeSotoSky said:
3 spacers on a 119 gives you about 1974 thru about 1980.
Your "swivel" style sheath narrows it down to about 1975/6 to about 1979.
Prior to that the holster style sheath was used and about 1980 the non-folded flat style sheath starts.
As with all things Buck, a little +/- sometimes applies.
....In my opinion.... /Roger

The swivel sheath may have started a bit earlier than I stated but hey, it's 1 am
and I not going to give it any more thought tonight.
Click to expand...
Of course, you are right, Roger...I couldn't even copy Joe's info in the Dec. 2004 Buck Newsletter correctly, I edited my post and apologize. Preston
 
David Nowlin said:
Can’t sheaths be switched? Enjoying this thread as i am only just getting started collecting Buck Fixed blade knives so opens up a whole new world! Am i doomed?
DN
Click to expand...

Yes and definitely yes. Without the sheath I would date the knife 73-81. I think the sheath may shave a year (or two) off each end.
 
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David Martin said:
Damien, welcome to the Buck Forum. When the knife has no year date stamp we have to use several items to date it. The stamp is just a small piece of info., the sheath is more, number of spacers are helpful & type and grind. This is why we ask for pictures. Some of the stamped used on a 110 were Not used on fixed blades. DM
Click to expand...

I have pics but I am just a ave joe I just created this account yesterday to find info on what I found. An so far it’s been really helpful
 
So far I have narrowed it down to 76-81. Just from the info stated above. The knife says 78 to 81 but the sheath is an older design then what I have seen for those years of the 119’s.
 
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David Nowlin said:
So you have ••119••
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Dot codes when dey comes out- were a deep dark cold war mystery to keep dem dayum knockenoff kopy cats off balance... it has to be!
Howsever ... a buck elf told me that as fer as the general public knows ...
It told the buck repair ppl dat a non dot blade wont fit in a dot blade frame. And a 3 dot were to tell them to put the new edge shape in a handle and dat a dayum 4 dot was made frim dat 425 steel not 440c ... si basically a engerring note only fer 110s not year notes..but it is a Known fact that when buck bosses seen dat folding hunter nuts were classing the knives by date of de dayum dots .. well they figured to make it easy buy puttn funny markes to mead a date of the blade...
Ps dont tells any any one else not securty rated high enough to know that cold war anti knockoff story...
 
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Same 3 spacers with exact sheath as the one shown in the link. The only difference between the one shown and mine is that the Buck name is only on the snap button and not on the front of the sheath.

Ps. My sheath is a little thinner in width and more rounded but exact design.
 
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