Maglite started using the panther on the D and C cells in 1992. Until 1995 they appeared with a TM next to the logo when the trademark was approved. See below for the TM vs. the 1996 and later R bezel. The TM is on the right on the black bezel after the panther and the R is on the right on the blue bezel after the panther.
In 1996 Mag added the panther head logo to its AA and AAA lights as well. So, you'll never see an AA or AAA light with a TM next to the Panther.
The panther was officially chosen because it represents a creature of the night although there are other theories.
Does you Solitaire have the 2 lines of text where it says Mfg by Mag Instrument? As far as being rare, nah, not so much. The Mag Marquis (predecessor to the Solitaire and only produced for 1 month) is about the only AAA single Maglite worth anything. Some Solitaires have a TM after Solitaire instead of the R with the circle and these would have been produced for the first 8 months of Solitaire production but even those have no collector's market. So I would say, hack away! Let's see some pics of that baby though!!