The Gerber MK-II is said to have been designed around a drawing sent to the company by Army Captain C.A. Using the 1988 year as an example: F3523S - H4854S indicates that the serial numbers for 1988 start at F3523S and go up to F9999S then switch to H0000 and end at H4854S. Followers 1. In the numerous hot little wars, American and European fighting men rented themselves out to numerous governments. Member; 174 Location: Eugene OR. It was called the Mark II combat knife and was fist produced in 1966. Commercial knife makers like 420HC. The first sheaths were leather. The MK I was a smaller variant of its predecessor and featured a 4.75-inch blade. Gerber stated that their records were scarce, but they did know the knife had been included with four others sold to the Post Exchange (PX) at Ft. Benning, Georgia in October of 1967. The original purchaser was probably Special Forces as they trained to become jump qualified at Ft. Benning's jump school. Vietnam? Its strong, easy to sharpen and can become quite sharp as well. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world. Fighting knives are the best knives. My experience has taught me that there's nothing like digging in and getting started. The 2008 version ballistic nylon sheath has an injection-molded hard polymer liner and two nylon straps with snap closures for primary and secondary retention to secure the handle. 5.11 Molle Packable Slingpack and Backpack, Rites of Passage: Coming of Age in Cinema, Role Models and the need for boys to partake of them, Andy Curtis former Green Beret- Faith Love and Violence. Production continued until 2000, with an additional limited production run of 1,500 knives in 2002. Phone 734.386.1984. The other side says "F*** Communism" so I look forward to your comments. Summary: This is an outstanding piece of Vietnam History from the estate of a true warrior that honorably served for over 33 years. While 420HC is not a high-end stainless steel, it does produce a good knife steel with good corrosion resistance and fairly good edge holding ability. Hit Man: A Technical Manual for Independent Contractors, List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces, Details on the Mark, Command, and Guardian series of Gerber knives, Images of the Gerber Mark II 20th Anniversary Edition prototype, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gerber_Mark_II&oldid=1152588055, The Mark II gained additional fame when it was used by, The black coated blade model of the Mark II was used during the mess hall knife play scene in the science fiction film, This page was last edited on 1 May 2023, at 03:59. One of the throat rivets tore out and was repaired with a rivet with a larger head. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States. Hi Nick - I would recommend studying these just a little, if youre going to try and buy one. Blade length is 6.5 inches / 16.51 cm, blade thickness is 0.235-inch / 5.969 mm and blade witdth is 0.875-inch / 22.225 mm. Its a great and affordable item for any knife collection. The blade has a zero-degree cant. The MACV Recondo School operated from 1966 to 1971. Oldpocketknives.com is an online resource for collectors of vintage pocket knives. Item #BHQ-4289 MSRP: $132.95 Our Price: $89.95 (3) The handle ergonomics of the Mark II are generally considered superior to those of the F-S Fighting Knife. Los Angeles-based cyber physical architect and a critical technologist Gven zel engaged festival-goers with the physical to the virtual with his 60-foot . Gerber began adding sawtooth serrations near the hilt and marketing the Gerber MK II as a survival knife rather than a fighting knife, and the PX resumed sales. It was nearly 14 years later in 1981 that a table was compiled by Mr. Doug Hutchens, Survival Knife Historian at Gerber. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. Over time the MK II design evolved slightly but has always remained a dagger-style fighting knife. If you are looking for an all original Vietnam one, you don't have to look at any in a black sheath. Mr. Scratch. It is unknown whether the Mark II was possibly lost in the field and later found by enemy solders, or if the U.S. SF soldier was killed by some of the same NVA who died in the October 1968 Central Highlands ambush. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty in North America and a 25- year limited warranty outside of North America. Also found at, 199? (qq) Blades etched in 2 lines on the Gerber logo side: Mark II / 35th Anniversary 1966 - 2001 . Although a variety of handle materials have been employed for the Mark II, the majority are die-cast aluminum. The blade is 6.5 inches long, and contemporary versions of it are made from 420 HC stainless steel. Aluminum is an unusual choice for a knifes handle, but it works here. As Bearmon points out, this isn't even a MKII. All Rights Reserved. They trusted the knife, and thats critical when its the last line of defense one might have. These serial numbers consist of a single leading letter followed by digits from 0000 to 9999 followed by an "S" or "T". The long serrated edge makes it super easy to cut through thicker and denser materials. A serrated edge can clear a cut and can start cuts in materials where it would be difficult to do so with a straight edge. The Mark II is a true classic that belongs in every knife collection. Gerber Mark II Fighting Knife W/Sheath USA MKII Vietnam Era 1970 . Id like your opinion on something. Like the F-S, the Mark II has a slender, double-edge spear-point / dagger blade for maximum piecing capability and a distinctive foil-like handle to enable many handling / gripping options. With a plan, you can see how much you have progressed towards your goal and how far on your map to the next destination. Its unique appearance makes it a fearsome option for the screen. Its ridiculous to think that the PX, of all places, wouldnt want to arm fighting men with a fighting knife, but here we are. RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight, space and time in the most challenging environments, just add water. In 1982 an alpha-numeric system was adopted. The Mark II is one of the best selling knives of all time. Full production resumed in 2008 and continues to this day. Yet, the Gerber Mark II is a fighting weapon first and tool secondary. I received my first Gerber Mk II, sn# 13000 in the fall of 1969 during my last full tour in Vietnam. On the Mark II, this narrower section comes toward the guard, and the edge on both sides has small serrations. When it comes to military knives, few are as universally beloved as the Gerber Mark II. It allows for an ice pick style grip, a fencing grip, or a standard hammer grip. It can be sharpened tom a very fine cutting edge and has excellent corrosion resistance. Gerberguy Table - "GERBERGuy's GERBER LEGENDARY BLADES Collector's Website" originally found at, 199? It's a long blade but matches the themes of the time for fighting knives. 1982 American Historical Foundation Table - Probably done by Robert Buerlein, 1984 Pete Gerber Desk List - List found in Pete Gerber Sr.'s desk, 1986 Unknown Origin Table - Table of unknown origin, 1997 Levine List - Published in Bernard Levine's Guide to Knives and Their Values IV. 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When it comes to military knives, few are as universally beloved as the Gerber Mark II. The knife is 12-3/4" overall and weighs 8 ounces. It has a 6-1/2" blade that is 1/8" thick. The Mainz Gladius was a short dagger that was given to senior officers in the Roman Army and was considered a prestigious status symbol. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ It comes with a limited lifetime warranty. I have a question for you and Im wondering if youd respond to my private email? At the Reconodo School, an MK II was given to the honor graduate of every class. A serrated edge essentially cuts by tearing rather than slicing. Its strong, and the material used for build various gun receivers, including AR 15, PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States, P.O. The Gerber Mark II has a suggested retail price of $115,00. The Gerber Mark II is a fighting knife manufactured by Gerber Legendary Blades from 1966 to 2000, with an additional limited run of 1500 in 2002, [1] and full production resuming as of July 2008. Of course, each contained what was a unique concept for the time: a purpose built, commercial fighting knife, the Gerber MK-II Combat. GR or Rex as he was called was a Senior Chief Petty Officer Radioman with Team 13 of BJU1 (Beach Jumper Unit 1) and served in Vietnam in 1969-1970. Designed for maximum versatility, the sheath features a multi-mount system with belt loops, nylon webbing leg strap with side-release buckle and is MOLLE/PALS compatible. Both blade and handle have been painted to prevent reflections. Vietnam era vintage Jacques Garcia survival combat knife . The Gerber MK II features a 6.5-inch dagger blade. The 1970-1974 yellow-handled dive knives have no serial numbers. The Gerber MK II is a product of its time, but it remains an excellent knife option to this day. Gerber has remade the knife and releases batches at a time. [4], Gerber manufactured a scaled down version of the Mark II known as the Mark I. According to some sources, this was done to make the knife more politically correct, while others say they were added as a result of suggestions from the field. 2023 Old Pocket Knives - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP, Case XX USA Canoe 1972 8 Dot 62131 Bone Handle Pocket Knife, Case XX Stainless USA 1971 9 Dot Bone 6246R Riggers Knife, Case XX Stainless USA 1965-69 Bone 6279 Equal End Pen Knife, Case XX SS USA 5207 SP SSP 10 Dot 1980 Stag Mini Trapper Knife. Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer so I could test it and give my honest feedback. You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. The impressive little rangefinder worked What Are Coach Guns? You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. Yes, you can, but its not so straightforward. Note the Gerber Mark II worn on a belt on the right hip. You have entered an incorrect email address! I wouldnt hesitate to use the Mark II for hard and heavy work, but Im not often knife-fighting. Therefore 6477 "F" knives + 4855 "H" knives gives the total knives made that year as 11,332. I believe this to be a picture Larry Flannagan from the 1st Brigade 4th Division LRRP (Long Range Recon Patrol) taken in 1967 or 1968. The Mark II also has a double-edged spear point blade but with one massive exception: the wasp waist. "Bud" Holzman, who served with the 101 . Mr. Scratch Posted April 5, 2012. Its lighter than a bayonet and knives like the KA-BAR. Hello, On display is my 1968 model CT2 Gerber MKII combat dagger. Loved your article on the Mark IIyou didnt repeat the same things that everyone else reprints. A380 is one of the most commonly specified alloys for die casting, as it offers, the best combination of casting, mechanical, and thermal properties. 420HC is a martensitic 420 series stainless steel. So, sometime after that date, Charlie's Mark II was purchased by a U.S. soldier and taken to Nam. I really enjoy knives that are engraved like this one. Gerber should release a premium model in 154 CM or S30V, and Id gladly pick one up, even for the increased cost. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world. Car & Truck Safety & Security Accessories, Vietnam Gerber Mark II Fighting Knife/Mk 2 Combat/MkII -Collection #10680 --1969, Gerber Mark II Fighting Knife W/Sheath USA MKII Vietnam Era 1970, 1977 Gerber Mark II Fighting Knife/Mk 2 Combat/MkII -Collection #55636/lw, 1977 Gerber Mark II Fighting Knife/Mk 2 Combat/MkII -BLUED BLADE #58859/lw, Gerber Mk Mark II 2 MK2 MKII Mark2 MarkII Commander Sheath OD Green Black Tan, 1986 Gerber MK II 20th Anniversary Limited Edition Knife with Box and Papers, Vintage 1981 Gerber Mark II MK 2 Fighting Knife Dagger with Sheath #104896, Vintage GERBER MK2, MKII LEATHER SCABBARD, Vintage 1977 Gerber Mark II MK 2 Fighting Knife Dagger Exc. Its made in the USA at Gerbers Portland, Oregon factory. But oddly enough, the MK I came after the MK II. The Gerber spread among fighting men in Vietnam and also became a favorite of mercenaries in Africa. Below are some pictures of my Gerber Mk-II combat knife. After my enlistment, I worked as a test engineer and software developer for the Aerospace Industry for 34 years. The Gerber Mark II is a fighting knife manufactured by Gerber Legendary Blades from 1966 to 2000, with an additional limited run of 1500 in 2002,[1] and full production resuming as of July 2008. Donda Bernet). It popped up in the hands of everyones favorite fraud raven Seagal in the film Under Siege, as well as in the Road Warrior, in which Mad Max tucks one into his boot. FREE shipping Add to Favorites . NO RESERVE-GERBER"71 MARK II VIETNAM FIGHTING KNIFE 5 DEG CANTED GREY ARMORHIDE . [1] [2] Anniversary knives are not blade marked. This allows them to be sharpened at the same time as the blade and makes sharpening a breeze. Black double guard. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Caribou Media Group | All rights reserved. The Mark II is a true classic that belongs in every knife collection. Carried a MKII in a chest rig for quite a few years while in the AF. The handle is made from die-cast aluminum which helps keep the weight to just eight ounces. The design is iconic, and they are still offered today. http://knifecollector.net/Gerber-MkII-Production-Chart.html. For information about George Rex Grason see: http://www.beachjumpers.com/cason-gr.htm. NOTE: See the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site http://www.virtualwall.org/ds/ShriverJM01a.htm for more details about MSG Shriver. . GERBER MARK II IN VIETNAM Photo: Medal of Honor winner, Jim Fleming A picture of Jerry Michael Shriver, Master Sergeant, CCS, MACV-SOG (5TH SF GRP), SPECIAL FORCES U.S. Army. The Mark II also incorporates a dual serrated edge to add to its utility. As far as fighting knives go, the Mark II is most certainly one of the most proven options out there, and its nice to see Gerber bringing it back so knife nerds can get their hands on one. This 40 year-old jewel features a black oxide coated 420 HC double serrated blade and die cast aluminum handle. The grip was tough but didnt offer much in the way of texture. Pre owned but in nice condition Gray Armorhide (cat's tongue) handle. The first production run of the Mark II was wasp-waisted and had a five-degree offset between the blade and the grip. The NVA soldier was killed in an ambush in Vietnam's Central Highlands, somewhere west of Buon Ma Thout, in October of 1968 . I appreciate any traffic from these links as I earn commission from eBay and Gerber when an item is purchased, at no extra cost to you. And its just as effective today at taking care of business as it was on the day it was introduced. The honor graduate knives from the 1969 era are engraved "DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE / MACV RECONDO SCHOOL". The wasp-waisted blade has a narrower section of steel, akin to how a wasps body narrows at its waist. The handle was designed to be an effective yawara. First introduced in 1966, this tactical knife is serialized for collectors. The handle ergonomics of the Mark II are generally considered superior to those of the F-S Fighting Knife. Bud Holzman, who served with the 101, Although Captain Holzman reportedly base the blade profile of the Mark II on the Roman Mainz Gladius in the British Museums collection, the similarities to the F-S Fighting Knife are unmistakable. The Mark II went into commercial production in late 1966. The Mark II has a 6.5-inch blade. Canted blade Mark II - Serial Number 003934 - This knife was taken from a dead NVA soldier by SGT Charlie Sharps, an infantry platoon sergeant with the 173rd Airborne. The first sheaths were leather. This knife is good for one thing, and thats killing the enemies of democracy. Has anyone else come across one from this era with engraving? Remember, that in the early years, Gerber did not keep careful records. / 226.796 g Blade Steel: 420HC Stainless Steel Blade Length: 6.5 in. In the 1970s, the military's base/post exchanges discontinued selling these knives, reasoning that they were "not in good taste" or "too brutal". One year in one direction or another makes a BIG difference in price. 420HC is a m, The HC stands for high carbon, which means it can be brought to a higher hardness than 420. Overall length is 12.75 inches / 32.385 cm and weight is 8.0 ounces. Nice but seeing black grip and blade design is indicator of a later production Gerber with out the serial range chart(s) Also the black scabbards are not of the VN era unless dyed by the owner or painted etc Not trying to highjack this thread, but does anyone know if John Sabol might have any planes for all the information he collected on the Gerber MK 2's and their variants? The Gerber MK II features a 6.5-inch dagger blade. The Parker "BIG SMOKEY . If so, let us know in the comments below. Note that for some reason no "G" serial numbers were made. Keep Reading. I have been told he based the wasp waist pattern of the double-edge 7-inch blade on a Roman short-sword (I assume that would be the early Mainz pattern gladius). Original Item: Only One Available. JMR Collectibles, LLC My goal is to provide helpful information about old pocket knives relating to their identification and history. It seemed like at least half of those pigeon holes had a long, narrow box in them shipped from a knife company in Portland, Oregon, called Gerber Legendary Blades. Of course, each contained what was a unique concept for the time: a purpose built, commercial fighting knife, the Gerber MK-II Combat. The handle on the 2008 version is a one-piece solid A380 aluminum alloy casting that includes the guard, grip and pommel in a single piece. The Gerber has had its own rather interesting comeback in recent years. Its made in the USA at Gerbers Portland, Oregon factory. The Mark I had a 4.75 inch (12cm) blade and was marketed as a boot knife.[6]. Very few modern combat knives have the wasp waist (other famous American models like the M7, USMC fighting utility knife, and M9 dont have it), and it is the visual signature of the Mark II. Its old school cool. Hi! The Gerber Mark II - Vietnam Era Fighting Knife by Travis Pike Jan 18, 2021 As far as legendary fighting knives go, there are a few that stand the test of time. Somewhere there is a Gerber site that lists serial numbers and dates of production. Description Vietnam War era GERBER 1969 MARK II Fighting Knife-rare one of a kind field-modified slim profile dagger in original custom-made scabbard Rare circa 1969 fighting dagger by GERBER, USA that has been field-modified to be a slim, practical, and very effective killing tool. I have attempted to use information from the lists to resolve some of the discrepancies, correct a few errors and insert more detail into the table. While this carry position afforded quick access to the knife, part of the Mark IIs ricasso can be seen indicating the knife was barely being held in place by the sheaths retaining strap. However, the ones of recent make that are available are reasonably priced at right around $100-$115. Probably the finest school of its kind anywhere in the world, this was the 'finishing school' of long range patrolling. Its a good choice when ease of sharpening and toughness are important. Gerber Mark II with after market coating on the blade. Showing 1 - 1 of 1 items 1 of 1 Items: Sort by: Gerber is, of course, still in business and thriving, but go to its website and you wont find a Mark II for sale. Its strong, and the material used for build various gun receivers, including AR 15 80% lowers. Your hand wont slip or slide into the blade as you stick and stab to kill a Commie for mommy. Used, a little bit of stitching coming undone, but all correct. Your email address will not be published. During the Vietnam War, the first production run of this knife had a five degree offset between the blade and the grip in order to ride in the sheath more comfortably, and give the user a grip similar to that of a fencing foil. Designed for maximum versatility, the sheath features a multi-mount system with belt loops, nylon webbing leg strap with side-release buckle and is MOLLE/PALS compatible. A picture of Jerry Michael Shriver, Master Sergeant, CCS, MACV-SOG (5TH SF GRP), SPECIAL FORCES U.S. Army. Also another retention strap snap has been added to the strap. There are other serrated tactical knives but no Mark II. RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight, space and time in the most challenging environments, just add water. List - Info sheet by Donda Burnett, Gerber Consumer Affairs, 2008 Sarasota Info - http://simplysarasota.com/knifecollector/GerberKnifeDates.html, 2/10/09 Sarasota Table - http://simplysarasota.com/knifecollector/Gerber-MkII-Production-Chart.html.