Vintage Buck 119 Question

T

Topgear9

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Jul 11, 2017
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I bought this 119 off of ebay for a stellar price (New in box with paperwork and packing tissue) and I know that it is pre-1986 because of lack of date symbol. But I don't know the blade steel or date approximation and I was wondering what you guys could tell me about it.

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The tang stamp and handle construction were used about mid 70's to 81. The box and sheath place it at the end of that time period say 80-81. Look closely at the bottom of the paperwork for a printers date code. Can't be older than that. The steel will be 440C. A nice knife. /Roger
 
I have that model 119 and the sheath is only Part of what indicates it's age. The grind is a big clue that the steel will be 440C. If it's blade profile was not thick at the edge, the steel would be 425M. With the 110's a 1981 model still had 440C steel. Yet, I wonder if this was followed
loosely among models. DM
 
Yonose said:
It’s after 1980 note the single micarta spacer on the guard
Click to expand...

The 119 and 120 changed to 3 spacers much earlier.
I agree with David about the sheath being the newest dateable feature. I believe the "flat" sheath appears about 1980.
 
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Well that dates your knife to mid/late 81. The printers code "481100M" means it was printed in 4/81 and the 100M is a print run of 100,000 copies. The second spacer in the pommel (which your knife has) was removed about 1982.
 
DeSotoSky said:
Well that dates your knife to mid/late 81. The printers code "481100M" means it was printed in 4/81 and the 100M is a print run of 100,000 copies. The second spacer in the pommel (which your knife has) was removed about 1982.
Click to expand...

Thank you for all the information!
 
We look at his great pictures. I Look in Joe's data sheets and give my view on what it is. Then we go in to much ya-ya about the details and
decide we'll agree. It's just the manner we do this sort of thing. I know I'm finding humor in life tonight. DM
 
Yes, the much ya-ya is always amusing (and, we must not forget, interesting).

The good thing is when there is a final agreement.
 
I thought that since there was no spacer betw guard & handle,that it was 425m?...Apparently my info is bad..
 
One spacer in the guard and one in the pommel and I'd agree with you. Plus, the blade needs to have the fuller hollow grind. Your welcome zak. DM
 
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Very nice knife-looks like it was never carried. The flat sheath is by far my favorite type too-always thought it carried a lot nicer than the current fold-over style.
 
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