Saw vintage 903 Bowie, Have questions

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austin37

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Morning,

Saw this Buck Custom 903 Bowie in an antique store, wondering about history, rarity, value, wood type, years made, modern Equivalent, any info to learn more. Thank you.
 

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Less common but not rare. In the product line thru the 80's and early 90's. Available thru the original Custom Shop with exotic handles such as Mammoth Ivory or Stag. A number of offerings with Aurum Gold etched blades such as the Blacksmith Shop, 4-Generations, Harley Davidson etc. came with a display box or wall hanger. The plain one like you show was called a presentation bowie and usually came with a wall plaque and engraveable plate. There is usually some to be found on eBay. Searching eBay right now found some gold etched ones. I'm guessing the handle on the one you show is Birch and $500 is way too much (IMO), especially for just a plain Jane knife alone.

Scroll thru this thread for pictures
Tecate

Thread 'Show us your 900 series knives for September'

Some 903s for 9/03:
20240903_085536_50.jpg
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DeSotoSky said:
I'm guessing the handle on the one you show is Birch and $500 is way too much (IMO), especially for just a plain Jane knife alone.
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Good write-up Roger. I agree it's to much for the plain Jane one, but, they are hard to find. I looked for a long time to find mine, way under $500.00, can't remember exactly, sorry.
It is a laminated handle, probably birch.
 

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Thank you both for the replies and info.. how much would it be worth given its plain bowie? Is it same size as a current 124? Same quality as 124 ?
 
austin37 said:
Thank you both for the replies and info.. how much would it be worth given its plain bowie? Is it same size as a current 124? Same quality as 124 ?
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I just happen to have a photo that will tell you...
Quality, it's a Buck knife!
zrDAaua.jpg
 
austin37 said:
Oh wow.. haven’t ever handled either so didn’t realize the size difference.
Anyone besides Jim Bowie use one these days for camp use?
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Up until a couple of weeks ago I didn’t know the 903 existed. I discovered it when looking for a made in the USA Bowie.

I intend on using a Bowie while camping with my wife and kids this year. I settled on a Bear and Son as I thought that I’d not want to use a 903 for how much they seem to be selling for. A Bowie might not be practical for camp use due to its size. I don’t care. I enjoy the eye rolls that my kiddos give me when I do over the top stuff. A Bowie is gonna be a memory maker. I hope that when I’m dead and gone my kids will talk about “odd stuff that Dad did.” Sometime well into the future.

Now that I know they exist I shall be on the look out for a deal. Same for a 124.
 
FlyingFinn said:
Up until a couple of weeks ago I didn’t know the 903 existed. I discovered it when looking for a made in the USA Bowie.

I intend on using a Bowie while camping with my wife and kids this year. I settled on a Bear and Son as I thought that I’d not want to use a 903 for how much they seem to be selling for. A Bowie might not be practical for camp use due to its size. I don’t care. I enjoy the eye rolls that my kiddos give me when I do over the top stuff. A Bowie is gonna be a memory maker. I hope that when I’m dead and gone my kids will talk about “odd stuff that Dad did.” Sometime well into the future.

Now that I know they exist I shall be on the look out for a deal. Same for a 124.
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Ah fond memories of over the top life experiences. To recreate the times we had in the minds of those who remember.
 
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