When were the First Nickel Silver Frames?

bucksway

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I was over on Facebook and seen this question asked about 110's and the answer given was 1990 with Damascus blade 110's. I thought it was earlier than that but wasn't sure enough to reply myself. I asked myself about 112's too and thought it was with the 25th anniversary 112 but again I was not certain. I do know very, very few nickel framed 112's were made before the mid 90's and even as late as 2007 when I started collecting any NS 112 sold fast and at a higher price than a otherwise identical brass frame 112. I believe there were stainless steel bolsters on the 500 and maybe a few other Bucks early but again I don't know for sure...
So when did Buck introduce Nickel silver frame 110's ?? Was it available in the old Custom shop? Does anyone know for sure when the very first Nickel silver frame 112 came out? I can't believe I don't since I've been chasing the odd ones for so long lol!
 
I gave the FB answer about the Damascus 110s. That was a guess on my part, but I can't think of anything earlier than 1990.
 
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This nickel silver anniversary 110 looks like it was made in 1988, but the date code X puts it at 1990.
 
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Some of the 1988 Canadian Ducks Unlimited 112s had 1987 blades and nickel bolsters.

I believe I have a "Famous Ranger" with nickel bolsters somewhere.......I also have one with brass bolsters somewhere......not many of these were made.

Anyhow.........looks like 1988 was the first year.......although some earlier blades came into the mix at times. That happens at times with Buck......they find some old blades and use them up.

We should mention that the 1988 112 Famous Ranger was a huge mistake.......nice trivia.
 
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My 112 Famous Ranger has a 1990 blade and the Canadian DU has a 1988 blade.

The N/S 112 with Corian,made for the German market,has a 1995 blade.

The N/S 112 NCKA is from 2007 and a N/S 112 with an S-30V blade is from 2008.

I have a couple of customs,Brian Yellowhorse and a BBCI with no dates.My custom buffalo horn w/chip flint blade is from 2002.

I have standard production N/S 112's from '95,'96,'97 and '98.

That's all I can remember.
 
Here are my two '25th Anniversary', '86 and '87. HTH
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Built in advance for the 1988 Anniversary or maybe in 1988 with older blades? Who knows, it's Buck. Anything is possible and very little written in stone. Makes for great conversation.
 
So it appears that we have settled on 1988 as the first nickel......but all pictures here are special production knives.

So are there any 110s or 112s with N/S that are NOT special production knives?

Or has there never been a run of ordinary, regular production 110s or 112s with N/S bolsters?

And if so.......when?

Inquiring minds want to know.
 
One of the early 112's in NS was of all things a Walmart exclusive 'Workman'..I have seen 2 pictures over the years but never a listing for sale or the actual knife. sportingspecialists the run in the 90's you have are all scarce ...The Canadian DU was the first finger grooved NS 112 ..I hope Mr. Hubbard and/or Joe chime in about the introduction of Nickel silver frames..Joe was there!
 
One of the early 112's in NS was of all things a Walmart exclusive 'Workman'..I have seen 2 pictures over the years but never a listing for sale or the actual knife. sportingspecialists the run in the 90's you have are all scarce ...The Canadian DU was the first finger grooved NS 112 ..I hope Mr. Hubbard and/or Joe chime in about the introduction of Nickel silver frames..Joe was there!
I found a Buck 110 Workman for sale.It was in used shape but not abused.I made a deal for $25.00.When it arrived I discovered the blade was loose.I placed in my bench vice equipped with rubber faced aluminum jaws and slowly pressed the frame back into its proper position.
 
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