Planning is thinking about a goal and then organizing the activities to achieve the goal. The Gerber Mark II slid in and out of production over the years, but Gerber has recently re-released the knife in a very affordable package. 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. It can be sharpened tom a very fine cutting edge and has excellent corrosion resistance. I am not bound by any written, verbal or implied contract to give this product a good review. Holzman in 1966. 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. The wasp-waisted blade has a narrower section of steel, akin to how a wasps body narrows at its waist. Great knife and I believe this model was only produced a few years. At the Reconodo School, an MK II was given to the honor graduate of every class. My goal is to provide helpful information about old pocket knives relating to their identification and history. Black butt with lanyard hole and leather lanyard. 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. 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. The Mark II has outstanding balance And is lively in the hand. I have been told he based the "wasp waist" pattern of the double-edge 7-inch blade on . 420HC is a m, The HC stands for high carbon, which means it can be brought to a higher hardness than 420. 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. 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. A plan is like a map. Jesse, oldpocketknives.com, Oldpocketknives.com THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ Is it possible it's a gerber command 2? 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 ads were soon toned down. I hope your weekend went well. It also cuts better than a plain edge when dull. A former Army Captain designed the Gerber Mark II. A serrated edge is also functionally longer cutting surface, so it will hold up longer without needing to be resharpened. and No, its NOT for sale. There have been many variations in the Mark II throughout the years of its production. [3] It has a distinctive look similar to that of the FairbairnSykes fighting knife developed during World War II for the British Commandos. NOTE: See the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site http://www.virtualwall.org/ds/ShriverJM01a.htm for more details about MSG Shriver. In 1982 an alpha-numeric system was adopted. The blade has a zero-degree cant. Hello, On display is my 1968 model CT2 Gerber MKII combat dagger. Gerber C.A. 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. After a quick Google search, I believe this is a Gerber Mark II knife. Others have called the MK-II an improved version of the WW-II Fairbairn-Sykes commando knife. Ep 25 | GWWM John Valentine Combatives, and Deeds of Arms, Where is combatives today. Also no records exist for "S/Ns A3012S-A4010S (Ref. Note that for some reason no "G" serial numbers were made. 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. The choice was a dagger designed for sticking, but equally capable of cutting and slashing. NO RESERVE-GERBER"71 MARK II VIETNAM FIGHTING KNIFE 5 DEG CANTED GREY ARMORHIDE . And its just as effective today at taking care of business as it was on the day it was introduced. eBay. Vietnam mark II 1972 combat knife $ 650.00. 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? 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. Its lighter than a bayonet and knives like the KA-BAR. Also have the MK I as an excellent boot knife. The Gerber MK II is a product of its time, but it remains an excellent knife option to this day. Also if this knife is real, an approximate value would be greatly appreciated. The general rule of thumb was that a six- to seven-inch blade was. With robust designs and vintage classic style, discover the heritage of military timepieces today! It utilizes an active retention strap but is quick and easy to draw. Remember, that in the early years, Gerber did not keep careful records. 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. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty in North America and a 25- year limited warranty outside of North America. Learn how your comment data is processed. The handle changed to Armorhide in 1968, which is a brown colored epoxy that is very durable. The engraving seems legit. I recently discovered that I was wrong about the original designer. 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. It is made in the USA. Unfortunately it's not a vietnam era knife but could have been used post-vietnam by a Soldier/Green Beret? 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. "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. Sign up for a new account in our community. In 2019 Vortex Optics released the Razor HD 4000 rangefinder with 4,000-yard reach (below). The modern knives run for around 70 bucks but are made from 420 HC. 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. Asymmetry in blade design is a show-stopper - this actually being a Command II. It has a 6.5" double serrated spear point blade that is .18" thick. I had one other, made in 1979, that I carried on Desert Storm, and my son carried on OEF and OIF. "Bud" Holzmann, who based the pattern on a Roman Mainz Gladius. Bud Holzmann, who based the pattern on a Roman Mainz Gladius. 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. Its fully jumpable. It is incredibly durable and very well made. When I enlisted in the Marines, I had a subscription to Leatherneck magazine sent to my parents home. USAF Vietnam commemorative SOG style knife Murphy Combat Richmond VA . 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. By the 1960's, Gerber decided to manufacture a knife that could be used in combat during the war in Vietnam. The long serrated edge makes it super easy to cut through thicker and denser materials. When one looks at the blade and the design, its evident that its a bit thin and not suited for batoning wood, skinning game, or general survival tasks. By the 1960s, Gerber decided to manufacture a knife that could be used in combat during the war in Vietnam. Black double guard. March 28, 2021 in EDGED WEAPONS. 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. Note the Gerber Mark II hanging on his belt. in North America and a 25- year limited warranty outside of North America. This 40 year-old jewel features a black oxide coated 420 HC double serrated blade and die cast aluminum handle. Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. These knives were produced commercially by Gerber and favored by troops in Vietnam. The handle is made from die-cast aluminum which helps keep the weight to just eight ounces. Vintage Gerber Mark II Knives are very collectible and a version of this knife continues to be produced to this day. Original Item: Only One Available. Member; 174 Location: Eugene OR. [1][2] This design feature led to a significant number of knives being returned by users for having a "bent blade", so Gerber discontinued that element on subsequent production runs. The Mark II was designed by retired US Army Captain Clarence A. Weight saving was important, and the knife weighs hardly anything. Showing 1 - 1 of 1 items 1 of 1 Items: Sort by: The Mark II was designed by retired US Army Captain Clarence A. Powered by Invision Community, US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY. If the leading alpha character doesn't change for the year, again simple subtraction plus 1 gives the total. US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. 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 Mark II stands out thanks to its blade design. As it had the sharpening steel with it I fell in love with its L-6 blade. They specialized in deception and psychological warfare (psyops). You do not find many in country Gerber Mark II knives, let along one with such rich and well documented history of the soldier. Any vets in the audience have experience with the knife? In either case, the knife was obviously created to be a deadly weapon first and a tool second. The original purchaser was probably Special Forces as they trained to become jump qualified at Ft. Benning's jump school. There are other serrated tactical knives but no Mark II. In the spring of 1969 I was detailed to pick up my platoons mail at the company headquarters of C/75th Rangers in An Khe, Vietnam. The Mark II was designed by retired US Army Captain Clarence A. It received its baptism of blood one terrible dark monsoon night. Particularly, the Mark II became a favorite with the MACV SOG teams that were the premier special operations unit in Vietnam. Straight blade Mark II - Serial Number 007338 - This knife was carried by RMCS G.R. Its strong, and the material used for build various gun receivers, including AR 15 80% lowers. The Gerber MK-II is said to have been designed around a drawing sent to the company by Army Captain C.A. A page out of the Vietnam SAIGON POST Newspaper in the early years of the war. The other side says "F*** Communism" so I look forward to your comments. It also comes with a ballistic nylon sheath. It was called the Mark II combat knife and was fist produced in 1966. Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. 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In Vietnam and Cambodia it never left my side and I loved that knife. The honor graduate knives from the 1969 era are engraved "DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE / MACV RECONDO SCHOOL". This steel isnt terrible but isnt as tough as something like the 154CM. First Sold in 1966, the Gerber Mk2 Fighting Knife quickly became a very popular private purchase weapon for soldiers stationed in Vietnam. These serial numbers consist of a single leading letter followed by digits from 0000 to 9999 followed by an "S" or "T". Commercial knife makers like 420HC. The blade is now made from a 420HC high carbon stainless steel. Pre owned but in nice condition Gray Armorhide (cat's tongue) handle. The Gerber Mark II Is One Of The Most Famous Combat Knives Ever Issued To The American Military. Also found at, 199? As is the case with the F-S, the Mark II is a purpose-built combat dagger with excellent penetration and reach. If you are looking for an all originalVietnam one, you dont have to look at any in a black sheath. The first production run of the Mark II was wasp-waisted and had a five-degree offset between the blade and the grip. The downside is that the steel does not hold an edge for a very long time. View on . Date or production tables relate Gerber Mark II serial numbers to the years they were manufactured. It allows for an ice pick style grip, a fencing grip, or a standard hammer grip. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. 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. Its fully jumpable. 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. The knife, serial number 9537, is missing the two leading zeros. Note the harsh wording in the advertisement with emphasis on the knife's "deadly" aspects. A serrated edge is also functionally longer cutting surface, so it will hold up longer without needing to be resharpened. 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. They were sold later as Model GB05705 "Mark II Wasp" w/ C3 Cordura sheath in the Blue and Black box. Many carried Gerber MK II knives. I received my first Gerber Mk II, sn# 13000 in the fall of 1969 during my last full tour in Vietnam. | Privacy. For your consideration is this vintage Gerber MK II fighting combat knife in original leather sheath and Gerber steel in original leather sheath. It was nearly 14 years later in 1981 that a table was compiled by Mr. Doug Hutchens, Survival Knife Historian at Gerber. Has anyone else come across one from this era with engraving? You have entered an incorrect email address! Gerber Mark II Fighting Knife W/Sheath USA MKII Vietnam Era 1970 . By Mr. Scratch, April 5, 2012 in EDGED WEAPONS. [4] The Mark II was commonly carried by troops for the United States in the Vietnam War, and was second only to the Ka-Bar knife in fame. Yes, you can, but its not so straightforward. This allows them to be sharpened at the same time as the blade and makes sharpening a breeze. Note the Gerber Mark II worn on a belt on the right hip. One of the throat rivets tore out and was repaired with a rivet with a larger head. I am now retired. All Rights Reserved. The Mainz Gladius was a short dagger that was given to senior officers in the Roman Army and was considered a prestigious status symbol. It was advertised as a boot knife rather than a fighting knife. Mr. Scratch. The NVA soldier was killed in an ambush in Vietnam's Central Highlands, somewhere west of Buon Ma Thout, in October of 1968 . 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. Specifications Nkumburis, 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 420HC is a martensitic 420 series stainless steel. Gerberguy Table - "GERBERGuy's GERBER LEGENDARY BLADES Collector's Website" originally found at, 199? "Bud" Holzman. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Lance Gerber, courtesy Coachella. [2] It was designed by retired United States Army Captain, Clarence A. As with many popular designs, various companies started producing their own version, hoping to get a part of the military and civilian markets. 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. This isnt the best steel, and I wouldnt take it to war. The MK I was a smaller variant of its predecessor and featured a 4.75-inch blade. These include changes in blade steel, blade profile, blade serration, handle material and color. A surprising variety of sheaths have been associated with the Mark II. Gerber designed the sheath to be multi-mount so that you could strap it to a belt or to your MOLLE gear. "Beach Jumper" was the cover name of U.S. Navy special warfare units. The Mark II uses a dagger type design making it less of a slasher and more of a stabber. After my enlistment, I worked as a test engineer and software developer for the Aerospace Industry for 34 years. A380 is one of the most commonly specified alloys for die casting, as it offers, the best combination of casting, mechanical, and thermal properties. Canton, MI 48187 Bud Holzman, who served with the 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles) in the European theatre during WWII. Gerber Mk II found in a toolbox. It has a 6-1/2" blade that is 1/8" thick. Save my name and email to use for future comments. Its made in the USA at Gerbers Portland, Oregon factory. [1] [2] Item #BHQ-4289 MSRP: $132.95 Our Price: $89.95 (3) Free shipping for many products! If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. A major disadvantage of most serrated blades is that they are more difficult to sharpen, requiring a special sharpening tool. Like the Desert Eagle, the appearance of the knife makes it a natural star. However there are several serial range differences that I could not resolve. Black ballistic nylon sheaths were introduced around 1985. Of course, each contained what was a unique concept for the time: a purpose built, commercial fighting knife, the Gerber MK-II Combat. View on eBay. When I was in Vietnam, my Dad saw an advertisement in the magazine for the "new" Gerber fighting knife. The MACV Recondo School operated from 1966 to 1971. 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. The knife also incorporates an aggressive handguard to keep your hand positioned on the handle in a fight. (tt) Blades etched in 3 lines on the Gerber logo side: GERBER / 70th. I wouldnt hesitate to use the Mark II for hard and heavy work, but Im not often knife-fighting. When the alpha letter changes during the year, a double calculation is done. First issued for use by U.S. service personnel in the Vietnam War in 1966, the knife has stayed in production since with the exception of 2000-2008. The grip was tough but didnt offer much in the way of texture. Hi! 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. There are many combat knives and bayonets, such as the M7 and M9, that are modeled after the classic dagger or spear point. 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 . First Designed in 1966 Overall length is 12.75 inches / 32.385 cm and weight is 8.0 ounces. In America, the design of fixed-blade fighting knives has changed over time based on contemporary tactics and trends, and the wars being fought. I have a question for you and Im wondering if youd respond to my private email? Al Mar, who was working for Gerber at the time, added two inches of scalloped saw-tooth double serrations toward the hilt. It comes with a more modern nylon sheath that will fit on a belt or a MOLLE platform. The handle was famously made from aluminum and designed for a fencing-style grip. 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 grip is also super comfortable and conforms well to the hand. A picture of Jerry Michael Shriver, Master Sergeant, CCS, MACV-SOG (5TH SF GRP), SPECIAL FORCES U.S. Army. The Mark II also has a double-edged spear point blade but with one massive exception: the wasp waist. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. The handle was designed to be an effective yawara. Yep .. you beat me to it re: not a MK-II. "Bud" Holzman, who served with the 101 . In the 1940s, Gerber began making steak knives and eventually prized hunting knives in Portland, Oregon. One big thing to remember is that the Gerber MK II is a fighting knife, not a utility one. Note the Gerber Mark II worn in an inverted carry, fastened to web gear on his left side. As Bearmon points out, this isnt even a MKII. Base PXs carried the MK II up until they decided it wasnt a politically correct enough blade. 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 THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ , The all-metal grip is made of aluminum. So (F9999S - F3523S + 1) = 6477 and (H4854S - H0000S + 1 ) = 4855. It was called the Mark II combat knife and was fist produced in 1966. People say the PC nonsense is new, but the PX stopped carrying the MK II in the 1970s because they felt that the knife was too brutal and that fighting knives were of poor taste. It can be sharpened tom a very fine cutting edge and has excellent corrosion resistance. 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. Vintage HTF Valor Miami USA 415 Ichiro Hattori Seki Japan Double Edge Serrated Tip Dagger Gerber Command 1 Clone Boot Knife & Sheath 5 out of 5 stars (1.5k) Sale Price $96.85 $ 96.85 $ 129.13 Original Price $129.13 . The Gerber MK II features a 6.5-inch dagger blade. RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight, space and time in the most challenging environments, just add water. Engraved on the blade has a master parachutist badge, Hal Left, and a parachute. by Wayne Goddard [4], Gerber manufactured a scaled down version of the Mark II known as the Mark I. If you . Prototypes were field tested and evaluated at Fort Lewis, Washington by members of the Armys Fourth Infantry Division. That length allows the blade to strike something vital in the torso from almost any angle. Asymmetry in blade design is a show-stopper - this actually being a Command II. I was doing more hunting this weekend and came across this knife. Not all brown ones are Vietnam, but all Vietnam ones are brown, if that makes sense. Check out the Gerber Mark II today and see why it was the choice of special operations troops for generations. Black ballistic nylon sheaths were introduced around 1985. The Mark II has a 6.5-inch blade. / 226.796 g Blade Steel: 420HC Stainless Steel Blade Length: 6.5 in. Its unique appearance makes it a fearsome option for the screen. Its strong, and the material used for build various gun receivers, including AR 15, PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States, P.O. Below are some pictures of my Gerber Mk-II combat knife. As far as legendary fighting knives go, there are a few that stand the test of time. The offset design was done so that the knife could be kept closer to the body when sheathed and to compensate for the natural bend of the wrist when the knife was held in the fencing foil grip. The canted blade led to a number of knives being returned to Gerber for having bent blades. Gerber discontinued the cant in subsequent production runs.

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