Buck 119 Special with upside down T date code??

[von]

Is the upside down T my new Special 119 a 2004 model date code??

Thanks,
von

 

[geothorn]

The short, quick answer is yes. I bought two Special 119s last year and they, too, have the upsidedown "T" date stamp, and that probably matches the date of manufacture that's marked somewhere on your Special 119's box. The date of manufacture will either appear on the end flap of the box or as a part of the UPC sticker. The Buck Knives date stamps are listed here http://www.buckknives.com/technical_making.php but they apparently haven't added 2004 yet.

GeoThorn

 

[geothorn]

I just checked-out a Buck 110 and a 119 last night. The boxes had the dates "10-22-04" (110) and "11-23-04" (119) printed on their end flaps, but both knives have the outline of the State of Idaho stamped into their blades. So, the upsidedown "T" *was* the date stamp for 2004, at least until late October, according to the date printed on the 110s box along with the state's outline stamped into the blade.

GeoThorn

 

[von]

Thanks for the info. Yes, it was made in March of 2004. Also would you know how to date a 119 with no date code three lines "Buck 119 U.S.A." and it has a clearly visible 1/8" aluminum dowel in the middle of the butt of the knife. Thanks, von

 

[Joe Houser]

Von,
The key to dating your knife lies in how many pieces of micarta trim are on each end of the handle. The guard and pommel will have either one or two pieces each. One piece may be hard to see as it is right next to the black handle.
Also, is the stamp read with the tip of the knife pointed down or up?

 

[geothorn]

Sorry, but I was only able to answer your first question because I'd bought two 119 Specials in 2004, and one this year, so far. From looking at http://www.buckknives.com/technical_making.php before 1986 Buck didn't use date stamps, so, I would presume that your 119 Special without a date stamp is from before 1986. However, your mention of the visible dowel may help someone in this forum, other than me, to help you to better determine the date. One other thing that may help you to date your older 119 Special is to mention whether there is one or two spacers in the aluminum of the guard and the butt. Older models have two spacers in both guard and butt, newer models have a single one in each.

I'd post this new question as a new thread, so that you have a better chance of someone "in the know," like a Buck representative, answering you. Definitely mention the 1/8" dowel in the butt cap, along with the number of spacers, fore and aft, and I think that someone can come up with a better answer than the guesses I'd be taking.

GeoThorn

(I remember seeing some pictures of a 119 Special with a "lanyard hole" put through the center of the base of the butt. I was wondering how that "lanyard hole" got there, since mine don't have them, and maybe someone just punched that 1/8" dowel out...?)

 

[von]

Joe and Geothorn,

Let me first just thank you for your replies and help. There are 2 spacers, one on the aluminum butt, then one inbetween the butt and the handle. The words Buck 119 USA are written on the side in which the tip would be pointing up.

Thanks Again,
von