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. The Ka-Bar, the Bowie knife, the. The other side says "F*** Communism" so I look forward to your comments. MIA 4/24/1969 in Cambodia. The Gerber Mark II Is One Of The Most Famous Combat Knives Ever Issued To The American Military. As Bearmon points out, this isnt even a MKII. The Gerber Mark II was the iconic combat knife of the Vietnam War, much as the Fairbairn-Sykes (F-S) Fighting Knife (British Commando Knife), was the iconic combat knife of World War II. Like the Desert Eagle, the appearance of the knife makes it a natural star. Holzman in 1966. Note that for some reason no "G" serial numbers were made. Nice to know. 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. First Designed in 1966 Although a variety of handle materials have been employed for the Mark II, the majority are die-cast aluminum. 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. As is the case with the F-S, the Mark II is a purpose-built combat dagger with excellent penetration and reach. When it comes to military knives, few are as universally beloved as the Gerber Mark II. Summary: This is an outstanding piece of Vietnam History from the estate of a true warrior that honorably served for over 33 years. Gerber Mk II Serial Numbers: Below is a list of the serial numbers on Gerber Mark II knives and the corresponding year in which they were made. Vietnam mark II 1972 combat knife $ 650.00. Somewhere there is a Gerber site that lists serial numbers and dates of production. A serrated edge is also functionally longer cutting surface, so it will hold up longer without needing to be resharpened. "Bud" Holzmann, who based the pattern on a Roman Mainz Gladius. Mr. Scratch. There have been many variations in the Mark II throughout the years of its production. Members of MACV SOG famously loved the knife and many of these commandos carried it into battle. Commercial knife makers like 420HC. Of course, each contained what was a unique concept for the time: a purpose built, commercial fighting knife, the Gerber MK-II Combat. First introduced in 1966, this tactical knife is serialized for collectors.This 40 year-old jewel features a black oxide coated 420 HC double serrated blade and die cast aluminum handle. Its a great and affordable item for any knife collection. This knife is good for one thing, and thats killing the enemies of democracy. Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. Support Veteran Journalism . The Ka-Bar, the Bowie knife, the Fairbairn-Sykes, and the often forgotten Gerber Mark II Combat Knife are all famed fighting knives. The handle was designed to be an effective yawara. Although a variety of handle materials have been employed for the Mark II, the majority are die-cast aluminum. Note the harsh wording in the advertisement with emphasis on the knife's "deadly" aspects. Made in 1972. One year in one direction or another makes a BIG difference in price. Canton, MI 48187 This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The 2008 version has a die-cast aluminum handle with a textured black powder-coat finish and a 420HC stainless steel double-edge, straight-waist blade with a black oxide coating. In 2019 Vortex Optics released the Razor HD 4000 rangefinder with 4,000-yard reach (below). Still have it. The Gerber Mark II is one of the best selling knives of all time. Particularly, the Mark II became a favorite with the MACV SOG teams that were the premier special operations unit in Vietnam. 4d 2h left (Sun, 05:10 PM) or Best Offer +$8.00 shipping Sponsored Gerber Mk2 Mark 2 MkII Mark II Stiletto Neck Knife RETENTION Sheath Only Brand New $40.00 lloy_howa (1,088) 98.5% Buy It Now +$5.55 shipping Sponsored Loved your article on the Mark IIyou didnt repeat the same things that everyone else reprints. Overview The Gerber Mark II features a 420 high carbon stainless steel blade with a black oxide coated finish and a full tang construction. 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. The knife, serial number 9537, is missing the two leading zeros. 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. Recommended Posts. And he designed it not just to be a tool but a weapon. It is incredibly durable and very well made. In the 1940s, Gerber began making steak knives and eventually prized hunting knives in Portland, Oregon. First Sold in 1966, the Gerber Mk2 Fighting Knife quickly became a very popular private purchase weapon for soldiers stationed in Vietnam. Black butt with lanyard hole and leather lanyard. Note the Gerber Mark II hanging on his belt. As it had the sharpening steel with it I fell in love with its L-6 blade. Jesse, oldpocketknives.com, Oldpocketknives.com There are many combat knives and bayonets, such as the M7 and M9, that are modeled after the classic dagger or spear point. Shooting the BulletSafe VP3 Soft Body Armor, Uberti Remembers John Wesley Hardin with this Top Break .45 Colt. The modern Mark II is a bit dated in design, but the Mark II is also a historic knife worth preserving. Standing there waiting for the clerk to bag up our mail, I glanced over at this wall. The general rule of thumb was that a six- to seven-inch blade was optimum. 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. 1,001 to 5,000 = 1967 5,001 to 9,900 = 1968 9,901 to 14,350 = 1969 14,351 to 19,300 = 1970 19,301 to 23,750 = 1971 23,751 to 28,000 = 1972 28,001 to 32,900 = 1973 32,901 to 39,000 = 1974 Share More sharing options. View on eBay. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product. So, sometime after that date, Charlie's Mark II was purchased by a U.S. soldier and taken to Nam. I am not bound by any written, verbal or implied contract to give this product a good review. This dual-edged blade, with its dagger point, will penetrate deep and with ease. It was nearly 14 years later in 1981 that a table was compiled by Mr. Doug Hutchens, Survival Knife Historian at Gerber. I had one other, made in 1979, that I carried on Desert Storm, and my son carried on OEF and OIF. Also see http://taskforceomegainc.org/s139.html for more information and details about his last mission. The blade has a zero-degree cant. Overall length is 12.75 inches / 32.385 cm and weight is 8.0 ounces. It is curious to note that the Mark 1 Gerber was not designed until 1976, that is after the Vietnam War was over and a full ten years after the Mark II was produced. [4], Gerber manufactured a scaled down version of the Mark II known as the Mark I. dedicated to the commandos who carried the MK II with pictures of surviving examples. Gerber Mk II found in a toolbox. The handle ergonomics of the Mark II are generally considered superior to those of the F-S Fighting Knife. View on eBay. The MK I was a smaller variant of its predecessor and featured a 4.75-inch blade. Note that the sheath has two repairs. With robust designs and vintage classic style, discover the heritage of military timepieces today! 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 . Vietnam era vintage Jacques Garcia survival combat knife . It is made in the USA. Its fully jumpable. Box 138 The HC stands for high carbon, which means it can be brought to a higher hardness than 420. The Mark II was designed by retired US Army Captain Clarence A. 420HC is a martensitic 420 series stainless steel. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. [4], The MK II was the suggested blade in Paladin Press's controversial how to book, Hit Man: A Technical Manual for Independent Contractors.[5]. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States. My goal is to provide helpful information about old pocket knives relating to their identification and history. 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. Gerber Mark II In the 1940's, Gerber began making steak knives and eventually prized hunting knives in Portland, Oregon. Gerber C.A. Mr. Scratch Posted April 5, 2012. Has anyone else come across one from this era with engraving? Hi! It was called the Mark II combat knife and was fist produced in 1966. Cason. 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. A fundamental part of intelligent behavior is planning. After a lot of use, the straps stretched increasing the chance of losing the knife. I don't believe it is a Vietnam era knife, the serial number doesn't look right. So I looked up the Gerber Command 1 but it seems a lot smaller than this one. The Parker "BIG SMOKEY . Original Item: Only One Available. Black ballistic nylon sheaths were introduced around 1985. Bud Holzman, a United States Army captain, designed the weapon, and Gerber produced it from 1966 to 2000. One of the throat rivets tore out and was repaired with a rivet with a larger head. The Mark II also incorporates a dual serrated edge to add to its utility. 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 received my first Gerber Mk II, sn# 13000 in the fall of 1969 during my last full tour in Vietnam. Yeah, the stores where Americas killers shop thought a knife was too untasteful. Others have called the MK-II an improved version of the WW-II Fairbairn-Sykes commando knife. Also no records exist for "S/Ns A3012S-A4010S (Ref. Probably the finest school of its kind anywhere in the world, this was the 'finishing school' of long range patrolling. It also comes with a ballistic nylon sheath. Gerber Mark II with after market coating on the blade. Phone 734.386.1984. If you are looking for an all original Vietnam one, you don't have to look at any in a black sheath. The Gerber MK-II is said to have been designed around a drawing sent to the company by Army Captain C.A. The Mark II was designed by retired US Army Captain Clarence A. And its just as effective today at taking care of business as it was on the day it was introduced. I am now retired. Ep 25 | GWWM John Valentine Combatives, and Deeds of Arms, Where is combatives today. Gerber designed the sheath to be multi-mount so that you could strap it to a belt or to your MOLLE gear. The knife also incorporates an aggressive handguard to keep your hand positioned on the handle in a fight. It has a 6.5" double serrated spear point blade that is .18" thick. The first sheaths were leather. March 28, 2021 in EDGED WEAPONS. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. 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. [2] It was designed by retired United States Army Captain, Clarence A. Hi Nick - I would recommend studying these just a little, if youre going to try and buy one. Frost Matrix - "Gerber Mark II Production History Matrix" by Robert Frost originally found at, 200? 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. In Vietnam and Cambodia it never left my side and I loved that knife. These include changes in blade steel, blade profile, blade serration, handle material and color. A serrated edge essentially cuts by tearing rather than slicing. It even comes with a thigh strap to secure and keep it from jumping around. I. ts a good choice when ease of sharpening and toughness are important. Gerber is, of course, still in business and thriving, but go to its website and you wont find a Mark II for sale. When I was in Vietnam, my Dad saw an advertisement in the magazine for the "new" Gerber fighting knife. The Gerber spread among fighting men in Vietnam and also became a favorite of mercenaries in Africa. Commercial knife makers like 420HC. The grip was tough but didnt offer much in the way of texture. As Bearmon points out, this isn't even a MKII. Full production resumed in 2008 and continues to this day. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Named 1st CAL 1970 Vietnam War Gerber Mark II Mk 2 Fighting Knife Watch Grouping at the best online prices at eBay! 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. But oddly enough, the MK I came after the MK II. Its made in the USA at Gerbers Portland, Oregon factory. Carried a MKII in a chest rig for quite a few years while in the AF. The Mark II is a true classic that belongs in every knife collection. When Gerber reintroduced the Mark II in 2008, the serrations were changed from the scalloped saw teeth to flat chisel-shaped teeth ground on the same plain as the blade edge. Specifications In America, the design of fixed-blade fighting knives has changed over time based on contemporary tactics and trends, and the wars being fought. The handle was famously made from aluminum and designed for a fencing-style grip. Also another retention strap snap has been added to the strap. To purchase a Mark II today youll have to either go to sites like ebay or retailers such as Knifecenter, Smoky Mountain Knife Works, etc. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. "It was the tradition that the honor graduate of each class at MACV Recondo School be awarded a Gerber commando dagger by the school's staff. The original purchaser was probably Special Forces as they trained to become jump qualified at Ft. Benning's jump school. The page isn't dated but from the article about the Manila Mayor, I'm pretty sure it was the Dec. 21, 1966 issue. When they are released, they tend to sell out quickly, so keep your eyes open. I wouldnt hesitate to use the Mark II for hard and heavy work, but Im not often knife-fighting. 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. 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. JMR Collectibles, LLC 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? Trzaska Table - Gerber_Numbers.jpg - Found at Frank Trzaska's site at, 199? The 1970-1974 yellow-handled dive knives have no serial numbers. By / 32.385 cm Weight: 8 oz. Anniversary knives are not blade marked. Black double guard. Thanks and keep up the good work! Nine major and several minor tables/lists exist. [3] It has a distinctive look similar to that of the FairbairnSykes fighting knife developed during World War II for the British Commandos. If the leading alpha character doesn't change for the year, again simple subtraction plus 1 gives the total. Over time the MK II design evolved slightly but has always remained a dagger-style fighting knife. Like many old-time post offices, the company mailroom featured a wall of pigeon hole slots that individual letters and packages could be slid into. All Rights Reserved. Vietnam Gerber Mark II Fighting Knife/Mk 2 Combat/MkII -Collection #10680 --1969 $1,750.00 stcroixblades (11,131) 100% Buy It Now +$16.95 shipping 10 watchers Sponsored Gerber Mark II Fighting Knife - Mk 2 Combat - Mk II - Vintage (1981) Pre-Owned $395.00 midwestknifetrader (32) 100% Buy It Now +$12.45 shipping 42 watchers Sponsored / 226.796 g Blade Steel: 420HC Stainless Steel Blade Length: 6.5 in. With a plan, you can see how much you have progressed towards your goal and how far on your map to the next destination. A Vietnam era knife. NO RESERVE-GERBER"71 MARK II VIETNAM FIGHTING KNIFE 5 DEG CANTED GREY ARMORHIDE . The Mark II design was based on a sketch sent in by Army Captain C. A. And its just as effective today at taking care of business as it was on the day it was introduced. The Gerber has had its own rather interesting comeback in recent years. The Mark II uses a dagger type design making it less of a slasher and more of a stabber. Picture is not detailed enough to determine if possibly the wrist tie was used to insure the knife would not be lost. http://www.virtualwall.org/ds/ShriverJM01a.htm. This allows them to be sharpened at the same time as the blade and makes sharpening a breeze. 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. However, the latest models are the closest collectors can get to a real MK II. The new Mark II uses the same classic dagger-like design and metal grip and handguard. Not the deepest youll find on a knife, the serrations are still there to cut. I hope your weekend went well. Many carried Gerber MK II knives. 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. Keep Reading. The Gerber Mark II has a suggested retail price of $115,00. Read Next: Pikes Manly Gift Picks: Knife Edition 2020. The Gerber MK II features a 6.5-inch dagger blade. 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. . A page out of the Vietnam SAIGON POST Newspaper in the early years of the war. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ Fighting knives are the best knives. For your consideration is this vintage Gerber MK II fighting combat knife in original leather sheath and Gerber steel in original leather sheath. USAF Vietnam commemorative SOG style knife Murphy Combat Richmond VA . In his book "Six Silent Men - 101st LRP/Rangers - Book 3", Gary A. Linderer mentions the MACV Recondo School at Nha Trang, run by the 5th Special Forces Groups. These serial numbers consist of a single leading letter followed by digits from 0000 to 9999 followed by an "S" or "T". 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. MK II implies the existence of an MK I, and youd be right. 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. Prototypes were field tested and evaluated at Fort Lewis, Washington by members of the Armys Fourth Infantry Division. The Mainz Gladius was an ancient knife found at an archaeological site. Asymmetry in blade design is a show-stopper - this actually being a Command II. The modern knives run for around 70 bucks but are made from 420 HC. With robust designs and vintage classic style, discover the heritage of military timepieces today! A serrated edge is also functionally longer cutting surface, so it will hold up longer without needing to be resharpened. I got a Gerber Mark II knife. You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. The inspiration from the blade comes from the Roman Mainz Gladius. It allows for an ice pick style grip, a fencing grip, or a standard hammer grip. The blade is 6.5 inches long, and contemporary versions of it are made from 420 HC stainless steel. Here's my Vietnam era Mark II. 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This includes thick ropes, roots, and heavy canvas materials. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ In 1982 an alpha-numeric system was adopted. The Gerber Mark II was the iconic combat knife of the Vietnam War, much as the Fairbairn-Sykes (F-S) Fighting Knife (British Commando Knife), was the iconic combat knife of World War II. "Bud" Holzman. Fortunately for collectors, all Mark II knives, except the yellow-handled dive knives, are individually serial numbered, which makes dating easy. The handle is made from die-cast aluminum which helps keep the weight to just eight ounces. It is a good solid knife, was a carry knife for troops in Vietnam. 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. My experience has taught me that there's nothing like digging in and getting started. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States. by Wayne Goddard The Gerber Mark II: A Historic Fighting Knife, Best Ka-Bar: Modern Options Of The Historic Knife, Knifemaking 101 Read This Before You Make a Knife, 8 Things You May Not Know About Forged in Fire. [1] [2] Manufacturer: Gerber Model: Mark II Length:12.75 in. By the 1960's, Gerber decided to manufacture a knife that could be used in combat during the war in Vietnam. Planning is thinking about a goal and then organizing the activities to achieve the goal. Free shipping for many products! It comes with a limited lifetime warranty in North America and a 25- year limited warranty outside of North America. The Gerber Mark II Vietnam Tribute Navy features a 420 HC steel black oxide coated partially serrated spear point blade with a diecast aluminum handle and a ballistic nylon sheath. Its strong, easy to sharpen and can become quite sharp as well. Al Mar, who was working for Gerber at the time, added two inches of scalloped saw-tooth double serrations toward the hilt. The handle was designed to be an effective yawara. In 1982 an alpha-numeric system was adopted. Save my name and email to use for future comments. "Bud" Holzman, who served with the 101 . There have been many variations in the Mark II throughout the years of its production. Thanks for the heads up, the serial number A5466S is from 1982. A picture of Terry Bryant, VICTOR PLATOON, U.S. Navy ST1 (SEAL TEAM 1) taken in 1971 in Vietnam. In the numerous hot little wars, American and European fighting men rented themselves out to numerous governments. One big thing to remember is that the Gerber MK II is a fighting knife, not a utility one. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. A plan is like a map. If you examine the photo closely, you can see the sharpening steel on the knife sheath face. It also comes with a ballistic nylon sheath. Other handle features are an angled-forward double guard and a tapered pommel with lanyard hole. Donda Bernet). Pre owned but in nice condition Gray Armorhide (cat's tongue) handle. 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. Gerber MK-II: Just as the Fairbairn Sykes is the Iconic knife of WW-II, the Gerber MK-II filled that role for the American soldier in Vietnam. Note the Gerber Mark II worn in an inverted carry, fastened to web gear on his left side. It's a long blade but matches the themes of the time for fighting knives. Bud Holzmann, who based the pattern on a Roman Mainz Gladius. However, the ones of recent make that are available are reasonably priced at right around $100-$115. [4] Al Mar, then working for Gerber as a knife designer, added the sawtooth serrations toward the hilt, marketing the knife as a "survival aid", making it more appealing to the PX System, which resumed selling the Mark II as a survival knife, rather than a fighting knife.
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