Please Educate Me

BP_

BP_

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Found this guy while going through some of Grandad's old stuff I was able to keep after his passing. I don't know anything about how long they were made, what they were made for, or how many were produced. The date code indicates 1987 year of manufacture (if it goes along with the standard Buck date codes). Also, can it be saved? Is it worth sending in? I'm really looking forward to learning about this one. Thanks in advance, gentleman.

BP



IMG_6178.jpg IMG_6179.jpg IMG_6180.jpg IMG_6181.jpg
 
Interesting, thank you for the link. I wonder the history of mine now. It seems to be stamped around the time Buck was originally contracted to produce it, even though production ran until 1997.
 
I don't know if the Buck contact m9 bayonet used the standard date codes, but Amy they produced for the civilian market would've.
 
I never thought of that. Makes sense, I should have considered that. I wonder if it's even worth sending it in, the tip being broken off as far down as it is.
 
You should call Buck, or email or message Jeff Hubbard. Probably better off with Jeff. The folks on the phone might give you the "discontinued/no longer supported speech" whereas Jeff might be able to see if there's a useable blade somewhere in the factory. Ask nicely though... ;)
 
MT_Pokt said:
You should call Buck, or email or message Jeff Hubbard. Probably better off with Jeff. The folks on the phone might give you the "discontinued/no longer supported speech" whereas Jeff might be able to see if there's a useable blade somewhere in the factory. Ask nicely though... ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, I will definitely do that. I think it's a nice old knife, and the sheath is in VGC. My grandfather spent over half his life in the Army, I can only imagine how he acquired it. He was definitely my best friend. How awesome would it be... :rolleyes:

Thanks again :)
 
I would have Jeff and the guys reshape the blade. Grinding out another tip. A nice 188. DM
 
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Your M-9 is a military bayonet weapon, made by phrobis/buck. the date code is correct following buck date codes. This knife was made when Buck and Phrobis collaborated in making the bayonet. It is one sturdy knife with a wire cutter on the sheath along using the knife to make it work. It was a survival / fighting knife all in one. I have many of these knives that vary on the tang stamp marked differently. There is plenty more in BUCKMASTER KNIVES - The Authorized History of Models 184 & 185 by Richard Neyman. Get it from your library. Yes the sheath is in very good condition along with the belt clip having no rust.. Many sheaths have lost the top snap and webbing. It looks like the knife was never tried out to cut wire, actually the knife is too soft and leaves a dent where the knife hits the wire. There is even a screwdriver at the very end of the sheath attached to the wirecutter. Looks Impressive. There was much discord between buck and phrobis after the final run each went their own way with buck making 5000 M-9's for the marines and they were stamped USMC. If that was MY grandfathers I would do everything to make it perfect if possible.
 
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Nice heirloom.
Just curious about the story behind tip damage.
Guess we'll never know.
The rust spots could be cleaned out professionally
Without marring the dull gray bead blasted finish.
If you intend to keep it for life,
Leaving tip the way it is
Could be one way to retain the original look
How grandpa had left your keepsake
Warts and all...
Reconditioning it would leave you with a different looking knife altogether.
You alone have to consider what constitute sentimental reasons for you.
FYI...
http://mocityman.com/content/M9Resources/SABCJournalArticleOnPhrobisM9Part1to4.compressed.pdf
http://mocityman.com/content/M9Resources/PhrobisHistoryLetterToFamousCollector1989.pdf
http://mocityman.com/content/M9Resources/ArmyPhrobisM9ChevronMaterialReviewReport1987.pdf
 
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Thank you for the links, and history. I really appreciate that. Indeed, it does hold a special place. I often wonder what happened to the tip as well, but that story will remain untold. I have a feeling when it snapped, he set it aside which is why I even found it. I think it would be really neat to have it as he received it. Really cool knife, with an interesting history, from a very old man. :)
 
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First year production run for the public. 1987 year code, Phrobis 3 line marking on ricasso. Excellent read, thank you for the links. That's just awesome :D:thumbsup:

He went to the PX all the time, and used to take me when I was just a little guy. I can only wonder when, where, and how he picked it up. I have this, and an old pistol. They both seemed to mean a lot to him, but the knife is one story I never knew. I'm just proud to be its owner, and amazed it survived as long as it has.
 
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I did send 4 back to Buck to have beadblasted for a clean finish. They came back beautiful. I also later found that the knives would get pitted during beadblasting and I looked at mine and yes there is minor pitting but would never have known if it wasn't mentioned.
 
Consider investing in a coustomized glass top satin lined walnut box display.
Where you could probably have it optionally wall mounted with a brass plaque
Inscripted with your grandad's relevant particulars for heir looming.
Could possibly see an appropriate service portrait photograph framed within
That way, no one in the family would ever be tempted to
Mess around with the sacred family relic.
If you do this, I'm sure from generation to generation,
there would be "tales" about how the tip came to be ;-)
There is much possibilities to be salvaged from the otherwise
Apparent irreversible damaged under circumstances such as this.
It's all about honouring the memory of a dearly missed man.
Best of luck in what ever you choose to do next.
Well, Might as well finish of with the rest from where that came from...
http://mocityman.com/content/M9Resources/WaffenDigestM9PhrobisTranslation1993.compressed.pdf
http://mocityman.com/content/M9Resources/PhrobisM9SoldierOfFortuneMagazine1988.compressed.pdf
http://mocityman.com/content/M9Resources/PhrobisM9OperatorsManual.compressed.pdf
 
MICHAEL5135 said:
I did send 4 back to Buck to have beadblasted for a clean finish. They came back beautiful. I also later found that the knives would get pitted during beadblasting and I looked at mine and yes there is minor pitting but would never have known if it wasn't mentioned.
Click to expand...

Bead blasted finished knives and plier tools were very trendy in those years
And well throughout the 1990's.
But unfortunately it was a rust magnet due to the fine "pores" that gave
The surface it's Matt dull aluminium/titanium gray look.
One way was to coat the surface entirely with furniture wax.
Some cheap protection was better than nothing...
 
Now I read the exact opposite the Buckmasters were sandblasted (This was before the M9) and Buck found the sand would carry material causing rust and after a 2 week run they switched to a beadblast. You can tell the sandblasted ones because they are dark gray. I believe it is in the book I recommended.


I just got done reading your links to M9 reports and reviews. I found them very interesting and learned and filled in things I knew and now they make sense Thank You for sharing GIRLYmann.
 
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Yes, the switch in method finishing for the buckmaster is documented.
On early buckmasters, one can see some notably different surface textures
Apparent between that on the blade, the handle and the butt cap.
Buckmasters are a fascinating subject.
http://www.survivalknife184.com/buck master list.html
And it did pave the way for the development of the m9.
Of cause overwhelming success is never without its detractors.
http://www.gao.gov/assets/480/478492.pdf
 
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