Puma 210 943 folder

[Seeleybc1]

Hello!

I was hoping the knowledgeable community here could shed some light on age, rarity, ballpark value, any history, etc of this knife.
I am going through some of my personal belongings, outdoor gear and so on, and attempting to move on to someone else eventually anything I am not actively using in daily life or in the field, lol.
I’ve had this one for a while, and have been tempted to peel that sticker off the blade and just start using it a couple times, but have always chickened out in the end, because I do know it has some value.
I’ve had a hard time finding what it may be worth, seems to be quite a spectrum perceived value on these.
Thank you in advance, and to the moderators, hopefully this is the location this thread should be? If not please relocate.

Thank you!
-Ben

 

[knarfeng]

Let's try this in the Traditional Forum.

 

[Old Engineer]

Hello!

I was hoping the knowledgeable community here could shed some light on age, rarity, ballpark value, any history, etc of this knife.
I am going through some of my personal belongings, outdoor gear and so on, and attempting to move on to someone else eventually anything I am not actively using in daily life or in the field, lol.
I’ve had this one for a while, and have been tempted to peel that sticker off the blade and just start using it a couple times, but have always chickened out in the end, because I do know it has some value.
I’ve had a hard time finding what it may be worth, seems to be quite a spectrum perceived value on these.
Thank you in advance, and to the moderators, hopefully this is the location this thread should be? If not please relocate.

Thank you!
-Ben

Like your knife a lot my friend .
Look down in the handle well on the brass liners and on the also the middle brass divider and see if there is a number stamped on one of them . You will probably have to use flash light to see it . Then go to the Puma Knife Co. website and use that number and it MAY be able to give you the age of the knife . I just used the Phrase , How old is my Puma knife , for the search for the website . It took me right to it . Or if you want , just find the number and get back to me . Will be happy to help .

Harry

 

[Old Engineer]

It appears that the newer Puma model would be 210211 . You can find it on their website .

Harry

 

[Seeleybc1]

Ok thanks Harry!

I didn’t see anything on the brass, but, now that i am looking closely for a number did find this on the lock release tab that sticks up slightly.

52962 is what I read.

-Ben

 

[Old Engineer]

Ok thanks Harry!

I didn’t see anything on the brass, but, now that i am looking closely for a number did find this on the lock release tab that sticks up slightly.

52962 is what I read.

-Ben

I put the number in and they said they did not recognize the number . That does not surprise me too much . I have 2 Pumas and they recognized only 1 of the 2 . In my checking around I did see another one that someone thought that it was made in 2015 or 2016 . Check out the newer model number that I showed up above and see how close in length , Pin locations , and etc. Good Luck my friend . That is a very nice looking knife . Carry it in good health .
You might want to check out the number being on one of the Brass Liners and or the divider . I originally missed it being on my Puma .

Harry

 

[Seeleybc1]

Thanks Harry!

Appreciate that! Yes, I tried as well and had the same result, haha. Bummer. I suppose I could call the company and see if they could help educate me in any way? Might give that a shot.
There’s one on e bay currently that is certainly the same model etc, but all it says is “pre-1964”. So still not sure.
I am sure it’s considerably older than 2015 or 2016 though.

 

[u.hansen]

The stamp on the main blade and the shape of the main blade tells me it's newer.
My guess..2nd half of '96.
Value..No more than the cost of a new one, maybe a little less.
I've had a 6 or so pre-1980's (941 and 945) over the years. Sold most.
Based on this. ^^

 

[eisman]

They still make that pattern.

 

[Seeleybc1]

Thanks for the responses guys! Appreciate it.
I found a few more of the 943, and similar models for sale out there and there definitely does appear to be some way to date them from the 5 digit stamp on the lock spring tab.
I’ll keep digging around a bit!

 

[Seeleybc1]

So continuing my high octane sleuth work here lol, I am noticing at least part of the formula for dating these pumas, (I think…) in regards to the stamped number. This of course is total speculation and until I get ahold of someone at Puma, or someone chimes in, largely means nothing, but is my opinion based on what I’m seeing out there.

Seems the the far right number is the quarter of year it was made.
Then reading from right to left, or backwards, is the year.

Examples of 943s:
33073- made 1970
51572- made 1975
56472- made 1975

A 905 Puma Duke example:
20681- made 1986

Following this logic, perhaps the one I have was made in 1969?
This would certainly make more sense to me, based on how long I believe the person who owned it before me has had it laying around.

Now, more observations and speculation…
All the listed serial numbers above spit out confirmed years using the Puma website search feature, and mine does not. Says serial number not found.
I read on the company’s history that a fire destroyed the factory in 1969…so might be part of it?

 

[u.hansen]

Hate to burst Your bubble...It's much newer.

This 941 is from 1975. Your stamp on the main blade and the shape of the main blade is different.

 

[Seeleybc1]

No no problem at all, no bubble to be burst here, lol! Which is nice. I have no expectations of what it should be for age and no specific “value” I’d like to hear it’s worth. Point of it all is merely to gain an understanding of what exactly I have so I can start somewhere appropriate when I sell.
And it’s been fun digging around a little bit. Of course being Sunday can’t do much today, but hopefully Puma will be able to say definitively if I give a call tomorrow. I must say I’m intrigued by the serial number and dating correlation (or lack thereof) there seems to be

 

[Seeleybc1]

Hate to burst Your bubble...It's much newer.

This 941 is from 1975. Your stamp on the main blade and the shape of the main blade is different.

Wow, very cool knife. Yes I see the blade profile and stamping difference. Is the 941 basically the same but without the corkscrew? Also, if you don’t mind me asking, what’s the serial number on the spring tab read on your ‘75?

 

[u.hansen]

Yes, same main blade without screw and saw.
72573
Good luck with the sale.
3rd quarter of '75

 

[Seeleybc1]

Yes, same main blade without screw and saw.
72573
Good luck with the sale.

Thanks Hansen! Appreciate the help and knowledge. I’ll certainly report back with any pertinent intel

 

[u.hansen]

Early code #'s were year and what quarter of year.
Later code #'s were year and what half of year.

 

[u.hansen]

delete

 

[Seeleybc1]

Early code #'s were year and what quarter of year.
Later code #'s were year and what half of year.

Oh ok interesting. Man, I almost wonder if this knife was mis-stamped or something funky. Just seems weird that of all the numbers I’ve plugged into the Puma website it’s the only one that doesn’t give a year.
And based on what you said how the blade profile and stamp don’t match the older 60s and 70s knives, which I agree with, yet the date code if read the way all other examples I’ve seen show it older…
Or maybe they changed at some point the order in which the date codes are read?

Because I’m so dang curious now, I spoke today with the fella I got the knife from, and he said it came into his possession he thought right around 2000-2002 time frame, and was part of a real estate deal, of all things, from the previous lodge owner, who may well have gotten them from German hunters/clients. So, anytime prior to that would make sense as far as the knife’s age.

 

[u.hansen]

"Or maybe they changed at some point the order in which the date codes are read?"

That's been done. The order in the '60's is different in the '70's. And I'm pretty sure it's changed again.
I'm still guessing '96 or '98....'89 maybe