Questions about my incoming Buck 303...

PocketKnifeJimmy

PocketKnifeJimmy

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Aug 4, 2013
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I ordered this vintage/new condition 303 Buck pocket knife.

It is supposed to be a pre date code, so I'm guessing Camillus Cutlery made, not quite as far back as Schrade made.

Based on the vendor's picture I share here... If the box is correct, what year(s) would the box be from?

Also, there is a sticker on the box that reads "Company Store'... Would that mean that it was originally purchased at the Buck Factory store in California?

Thanks in advance 👍😊👍s-l1600 (5).jpgs-l1600 (4).jpg
 
If I had to guess...

Based on the 2nd image, there appears to be a "T" below "BUCK", which would be next to the model number on the 2nd line.
This, IMHO is a run of the mill 303 from 2003.

Older Camillus and Schrade contract 303s have a long pull rather than a nail nick.
 
Yes we need a good picture of the tang stamp to get a better look see to be sure. Also I see a pivot pin in the bolsters so no swendon key like the schrades. And nail nicks instead of long pulls means newer Buck made.
 
PocketKnifeJimmy said:
So, this is made in Idaho? And, the sticker "Company Store" means purchased at Bucks Factory store?
Click to expand...
2003 based on the T date code that I can see, Made in El Cajon California before they moved to post falls in 2005.

That box and paperwork are exactly what came with my 2003 305,

EDIT : I just realized you can see El Cajon California right there on the paperwork shown with the knife.
 
Ebay sellers don't always know what "pre date code" means. They find another knife that looks similar and copy the text. And of course every Camillus contract knife is described as pre date code. Same thing with "dots". I've seen alot of ads counting the handle pins as dots. In the case of the OP's knife, Hickory n steel Hickory n steel is correct. That box was used about 2003-2006/7 I think. Notice the seller is in El Cajon, so yes, surely a company store purchase. The box and knife are correct for each other. /Roger
 
PK Jim,

Don't take what I said above as criticism. I have bought more than my share of knives that I did not look carefully at the photos or did not read the text carefully. Emotional trigger pulling on a buy it now can have unwanted consequences. You bought a great knife for a bit more than what I would have paid for it.
 
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