Buck 112 from todays gun show.

[rci2950]

At todays gun show i saw two buck folders. This one was $15 so i couldn't pass it by. The other one from another table had a nicer case but was sharpened a lot more. I think this one is in nice shape. locks up nice and solid. No blade wiggle. The leather case I will work on making it look better but overall it still has lots of life in it.

I think it is a 112 model based on the numbers stamped in the back of the leather case, but I could be wrong. Anyone know roughly how old it might be?

[rci2950]

The handle material is some sort of synthetic. It has tiny woven fabric like appearance.

[Richard Simmons]

If you can post a photo of the back and rear\ butt of the knife I can be more certain but I can tell you it's a Buck 112 Ranger from 1972 with micarta scales. It's a category 1, version 1 or 2 but without those photos I can't tell for sure. You've got a very nice Buck there at a great price.

FYI. The 112 came out in May of 1972 and Buck added the 112 model # to the blade stamp before 1972 was done so yours is really early in production.

[rci2950]

If you can post a photo of the back and rear\ butt of the knife I can be more certain but I can tell you it's a Buck 112 Ranger from 1972 with micarta scales. It's a category 1, version 1 or 2 but without those photos I can't tell for sure. You've got a very nice Buck there at a great price.

FYI. The 112 came out in May of 1972 and Buck added the 112 model # to the blade stamp before 1972 was done so yours is really early in production.

Cool! something collectable. I was hoping that. here are some more pictures..

[Richard Simmons]

I can't tell if the spacer in the butt end is brass or stainless steel. Brass would make it a Cat 1, version 1 Stainless would be version 2. Either way I think you could get at least $100 on eBay with the sheath. If you open the flap on the sheath and the front of the pouch is U shaped instead of straight across it might be original.

Looking at the photos again I think it's stainless.

[rci2950]

I can't tell if the spacer in the butt end is brass or stainless steel. Brass would make it a Cat 1, version 1 Stainless would be version 2. Either way I think you could get at least $100 on eBay with the sheath. If you open the flap on the sheath and the front of the pouch is U shaped instead of straight across it might be original.

Looking at the photos again I think it's stainless.

The spacer is brass and the sheath is U shaped.

[Richard Simmons]

In that case I'd say you have one of the first 112's produced! Sheath looks original to the knife as far as I can tell.

[rci2950]

In that case I'd say you have one of the first 112's produced! Sheath looks original to the knife as far as I can tell.

holey crap what a find. I guess i won't be using it. I was actually considering this as a daily user. I figured it was just an old knife.

The spacer between the two brass halves, taking up the space that the blade takes is just a different shade of brass. It is not as browned as the outside parts. It is definitely not steel unless they plated it.

Thanks for the info! I guess i have the beginnings of a buck collection

[l921428x]

Good score dude, things are rolling right for you right now. I like it.

[jojo]

Out of curiosity what makes them so collectable.

[Richard Simmons]

Out of curiosity what makes them so collectable.

Lots of things. The first ones used 440C steel for the blade which later changed to 425M then 420HC which is used today. Some folks, particularly users prefer this model knife with the 440C. The fact that it's the first version made and made for only a part of the year means there are fewer of them available so if you are a collector there are fewer of them out there for you to try and acquire an example to complete your collection. The micarta scales are something Buck didn't use on a lot of their products so getting a version with those scales means you have something a lot of other collectors don't since they were made 40+ years ago and were fairly uncommon even then. Pretty much the same as any collectible item, number made, differences from other versions, age, etc.