Is the Buxton style tang only available on the Buxton special? (tang protruding out the back of the handle)

That is correct

Aight, thanks for the info, Scott.

Are the sheath's with dark stitching instead of white stitching from a specific era or is it just something they use when they run out of white or what?

Jokingly the answer is: or what!!

Actually, Sullivan's used brown thread on sheaths 1998 into 1999.

Okay so all Sullivan sheaths with brown stitches mean it's from 98 or 99?

Yes. I will qualify that by saying I do not know if ALL Sullivan’s sheaths used brown thread, but that is when it was used.

Great, thanks Rod for the quick answer! Just picked up a couple Randall's at the local gun show today and one has the brown stitches and it had me intrigued!

That doesn't mean the knife is late 90's...just the sheath. Depending upon popularity, what sheaths were in stock prior, what sheaths were put in on top of discontinued brown-stitched ones, etc. etc... There could be overlap and a 2000's knife could come out, directly from the shop in the brown.
Best, Capt. Chris

Good to know. Thanks