Bert, I searched BCCI newsletter articles and found one in the Dec 2003 issue about the 501 that says "Another change that has taken place over the years is the change from stainless steel bolsters to nickel silver. This doesn't show up in the catalog until 2003, but according to Joe Houser, the blueprints called for this change in 1994." Hum...
So, there seems to be some uncertainty. I went through all of my 500 series (except the Dukes), 2-501s, 6-503s, 3-505's, and they span from around 1978 to the present, looking for anything that would distinguish the 2 bolster materials. I read somewhere that the stainless steel was probably 316 and is non-magnetic, so using a magnet was no help. I was able to see a difference in the finished bolsters between the two. Apparently, the blade pivot pin stock is harder than the NS bolsters and after the final sanding and polishing, the pins are more humped up on the newest NS models, and perfectly flat on the oldest SS models. I have a 1994, 1997 and 1999 that all appear to have the stainless steel finished bolsters. So, not sure if Buck phased in the changes beginning in '94, or if they waited until 2003, which is the way I'm leaning. Sorry to muddy the waters on this.
One other odd thing. Of the 11 knives, 9 of the back springs were strongly magnetic, and 2 were not magnetic at all. Anyone know why that would be?