Puma 959

[terryl308]

Just traded for this unused Puma 959 in the box and want to share it and ask a few questions. It does not have a date code, so I assume it is pre 64. It has beautiful stag handle scales and is in the original box with paper work. Had to pay a lot for it but I think it is worth quite a bit, so does anyone know what they sell for. The only thing wrong is the box has some damage (see photo) And where is the best place to sell one? Thanks in advance, Terry

[knife7knut]

Beautiful knife! I'm by no means an expert on Puma knives but from what I can gather from my charts(which only go up to 1982)the 959 was first manufactured in 1963.As Puma didn't start date coding their knives until October 1964 it could have been made before then.However in looking at the pictures you posted one of them has a 5-digit code on a piece of paper that looks like it could be a date code.My chart doesn't go that high(only to 1982)but if it is a date code then it would have been made after then. Whatever the case it is a beautiful knife and quite collectible.You might want to try the Puma knife site to get more info.Sorry I don't have the link but he goes by the name Puma Knife Man.

[terryl308]

thanks for the reply knife nut, what I have gathered, which not much, the date codes were stamped on the side of the master blade lock mech. I believe the number you are referring to is the "Depot International NO. 16832" which is one the Trade Mark card attached to the knife with a green colored string, you may be right, I just have not seen enough of these to know. Interesting and thanks again. I'll try the Puma Man web site. Terry

[terryl308]

Knife7nut, got it listed on the PumaKnifeman site, thanks again. He has it listed as a Pre 64 and a price of $575. He seems like a fair and honest man and knows a lot about Puma's. I guess he is writing a book on collecting Puma's. thanks again, Terry

[jerryd6818]

thanks for the reply knife nut, what I have gathered, which not much, the date codes were stamped on the side of the master blade lock mech. I believe the number you are referring to is the "Depot International NO. 16832" which is one the Trade Mark card attached to the knife with a green colored string, you may be right, I just have not seen enough of these to know. Interesting and thanks again. I'll try the Puma Man web site. Terry

It's not a date code, (although it can be used to date a Puma Knife) Puma calls it a "Control Number". The "Control Number" was stamped on the lock bar of lockbacks, the ricasso of fixed blade knives and some one recently mentioned it was also sometimes put on the liner of a folding knife inside the blade well. I recently posted a "Control Number" chart that goes from 1964-2012. I don't remember the thread right now.