Old 124 Flap Over Sheath Question

T

TheFishman

Joined
Aug 23, 2022
Messages
295
I found this 124 sheath a couple of days ago at a garage sale. My heart started pounding when I first spotted it, but unfortunately it did not contain the knife. According to my research, the flap over 124 sheath was produced from 1967-1970, followed by the swinging sheath in 1971-1973, and finally the Snoopy sheath in 1973 to present. I learned that Buck outsourced sheath production in 1967 to Atchison Leather until Buck started sheath production in house in 1969. The flap over sheaths produced by Atchison Leather had a plain snap. Therefore, I assume the sheath in the photos below was produced by Buck between 1969 and 1970. Is this a correct assumption?

This sheath is far from perfect from wear and A. Navarro carving their name on the back. As you can see in the third photo, the leather is fairly worn, but still in one piece. Is there anything besides saddle soap or mink oil that will prevent the leather from deteriorating further? Correct me if I am wrong, but I think a two-line inverted 124 is the correct knife for this sheath. Ideally, I would like to find a two-line inverted 124, but those are rather pricey now. If I cannot find an affordable 124 and I wind up selling the sheath, I don’t want to do any restoration that would further lower its value. Should I just leave the sheath as is?
53295404913_4cc1b560e9_o.jpg
53295627635_7d82d7d7b3_o.jpg

53295627640_810ca47a86_o.jpg
 
TheFishman said:
I assume the sheath in the photos below was produced by Buck between 1969 and 1970.
Click to expand...
Fishman, I'm no expert, but I think your sheath may be earlier. Take a look at the article by Joe Houser in the May 2001 Newsletter. Also, I have attached a summary that I did years ago, but it may not be completely accurate. Other people may not agree, but I think some sort of restoration is a good idea. If it were my sheath, I would use some Skidmore's Leather Cream followed by some black shoe polish. If you decide to restore it, send a photo to Skidmore's and ask what they think. I'm sure Vince and Susan will give you good advice.

Bert


Screenshot 2023-10-29 at 12.56.40 PM.png
 
Last edited:
I would use black shoe polish on the outside. Conditioner on the inside.
 
That doesn’t appear to be a 124 sheath to me. I have 7-8 of the Flapover sheaths and I want to say they all say 124 on the back. Yours looks a lot slimmer maybe for a 119 or 120.
 
skylercstevens said:
That doesn’t appear to be a 124 sheath to me. I have 7-8 of the Flapover sheaths and I want to say they all say 124 on the back. Yours looks a lot slimmer maybe for a 119 or 120.
Click to expand...
I think you are right. I tried my 119 in the sheath when I brought it home and the 119 is a little loose in the sheath. I then assumed it was for a 124. In looking at the photos that MT_Pokt provided, the top of the sheath is not as wide. Thank you for pointing that out and thank you MT_Pokt for taking the time to photograph your sheath with measurements.

If I am reading bertl's chart correctly, that would make this 119 sheath from 1964-1967. Is that correct?
 
Fishman,

Have you tried reconditioning your sheath, yet?

Bert
 
I use obenaufs on all my leather and that would be my recommendation.

Fyi saddle soap is merely a cleaner not a conditioner, and leather can often need conditioning more than ever after the saddle soap has been used
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top