1987 Buck M9 Phrobis III Bayonet. Info wanted.

[Kilroy1107]

Hi everyone,
I have a Buck Knives M9 Bayonet Model 188CB #1456 Phrobis III. I purchased it brand new in 1987. It is still brand new never used or sharpened with everything box and all papers. I would like to know if it is one of the rare early MFG bayonets and information and value on it. Also does it have any more collectors value compared to later manufactured Buck M9 bayonets. I have read previous posts on this subject but just wanted a current up to date information on this.
Thank you everyone for your help.

 

[pjsjr]

Buck and Phrobis M9 Bayonets - History of the M9 Bayonet I

Phrobis and Buck history as it relates to the M9 Bayonet

m9bayonet.com

 

[DeSotoSky]

Not M9 versed so I do not know what a "MFG" bayonet is (unless you were abbreviating manufactured) but your knife was made by Buck. If the knife is marked both Buck and Phrobis it was sold on the retail-consumer market. Military contract knives were marked Phrobis only. Preston's reference above says 28,238 188CB were sold so I would think your knife was common. Ebay completed auctions is my go-to place for values sometimes. Not sure if that answers your question.

 

[bucksway]

A few years ago I became interested in the bayonets and other military theme Bucks and was fascinated by just how much some sell for. To a rabid collector looking for a rare variation one might be offered once in 5 years or even a lifetime. A few Ebay sales I followed went over $1,000.00!! I think the most valuable and rare are actually issued knives. Always when I stop by a yard sale or flea market I look to see if one might be there. Shieth's have extremely rare versions/variations too. I seen a sale on the bay go over $400.00..

 

[Kilroy1107]

Thats what I am finding while researching values and prices they are all over the place for used and new ones.

 

[bucksway]

Kilroy 1107 I've found when a serious collector has a Buck and KNOWS how rare it is they price it so high they kinda hope it won't sell. Many were picked up for less than $200.00 or less years ago and few were actively buying. Less than a dozen serious collectors with deep pockets can change the market. A perfect example is 422's! All of a sudden a knife that regularly sold for $25.00 or so was bid up over $100.00. as a handful of collectors were actively bidding for rare seldom seen examples. 422 and Bucklite collectors just assumed they would always be cheep.

 

[Kilroy1107]

Thanks to everyone for their response.

 

[tommycopper1]

Best thing to do is buy a book called: M9 Bayonet - The Authorized History, by Richard Neyman. I have a copy and it contains a wealth of info on Phrobis and Buck M9 Bayonets.