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. A serrated edge essentially cuts by tearing rather than slicing. This knife is good for one thing, and thats killing the enemies of democracy. Nice to know. A Vietnam era knife. It is incredibly durable and very well made. Phone 734.386.1984. A serrated edge is also functionally longer cutting surface, so it will hold up longer without needing to be resharpened. Support Veteran Journalism . Holzman in 1966. [2] It was designed by retired United States Army Captain, Clarence A. 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. Many carried Gerber MK II knives. This allows them to be sharpened at the same time as the blade and makes sharpening a breeze. The general rule of thumb was that a six- to seven-inch blade was. In Aliens, its the knife of choice of the Colonial Marines, and the Winter Soldier tries to kill Captain America with one. Straight blade Mark II - Serial Number 007338 - This knife was carried by RMCS G.R. Note the Gerber Mark II worn on a belt on the right hip. Engraved on the blade has a master parachutist badge, Hal Left, and a parachute. 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. Thanks and keep up the good work! 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. View on eBay. 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. View on . The sheath has been modified by cutting off the sheath back above the throat and adding webbing to the sheath back forming a belt loop. These knives were produced commercially by Gerber and favored by troops in Vietnam. The Gerber Mark II has a suggested retail price of $115,00. Specifications [1] [2] This 40 year-old jewel features a black oxide coated 420 HC double serrated blade and die cast aluminum handle. http://www.virtualwall.org/ds/ShriverJM01a.htm. The Mark II uses a dagger type design making it less of a slasher and more of a stabber. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. A major disadvantage of most serrated blades is that they are more difficult to sharpen, requiring a special sharpening tool. The Tables/Lists Used to Formulate My Date Table: Mark II serial numbers were all numeric from 1966 through 1981 and a simple subtraction plus 1 gives the total knives made in a year. It also cuts better than a plain edge when dull. Gerber Mark II Fighting Knife W/Sheath USA MKII Vietnam Era 1970 . The Ka-Bar, the Bowie knife, the Fairbairn-Sykes, and the often forgotten Gerber Mark II Combat Knife are all famed fighting knives. I don't believe it is a Vietnam era knife, the serial number doesn't look right. 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. Item #BHQ-4289 MSRP: $132.95 Our Price: $89.95 (3) MIA 4/24/1969 in Cambodia. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ , The all-metal grip is made of aluminum. The original purchaser was probably Special Forces as they trained to become jump qualified at Ft. Benning's jump school. The modern knives run for around 70 bucks but are made from 420 HC. Your email address will not be published. [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. But oddly enough, the MK I came after the MK II. It was nearly 14 years later in 1981 that a table was compiled by Mr. Doug Hutchens, Survival Knife Historian at Gerber. This dual-edged blade, with its dagger point, will penetrate deep and with ease. The Mark II also has a double-edged spear point blade but with one massive exception: the wasp waist. By the 1960s, Gerber decided to manufacture a knife that could be used in combat during the war in Vietnam. 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. In 1982 an alpha-numeric system was adopted. Canton, MI 48187 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. For utility purposes, there are better knives. Showing 1 - 1 of 1 items 1 of 1 Items: Sort by: The Mark II is a true classic that belongs in every knife collection. Its made in the USA at Gerbers Portland, Oregon factory. Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. View on eBay. In the numerous hot little wars, American and European fighting men rented themselves out to numerous governments. So (F9999S - F3523S + 1) = 6477 and (H4854S - H0000S + 1 ) = 4855. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. It could penetrate the torso of a bad guy and be long enough to reach something vital from any angle. Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. I. ts a good choice when ease of sharpening and toughness are important. The Gerber MK II is a product of its time, but it remains an excellent knife option to this day. Save my name and email to use for future comments. In addition, the original retaining strap has been replaced with a nylon strap with velcro closure. 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. Other handle features are an angled-forward double guard and a tapered pommel with lanyard hole. You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. Pre owned but in nice condition Gray Armorhide (cat's tongue) handle. Its strong, and the material used for build various gun receivers, including AR 15 80% lowers. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ 43311 Joy Road http://knifecollector.net/Gerber-MkII-Production-Chart.html. [4], Gerber manufactured a scaled down version of the Mark II known as the Mark I. Yeah, the stores where Americas killers shop thought a knife was too untasteful. Gerber Mark II with after market coating on the blade. Required fields are marked *. Overall length is 12.75 inches / 32.385 cm and weight is 8.0 ounces. It comes with a more modern nylon sheath that will fit on a belt or a MOLLE platform. Mr. Scratch. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. It is made in the USA. Share #1 Posted April 5, 2012. Not the deepest youll find on a knife, the serrations are still there to cut. The Mark II was designed by retired US Army Captain Clarence A. It is incredibly durable and very well made. Bud Holzmann, who based the pattern on a Roman Mainz Gladius. 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. The Mark II was designed by retired US Army Captain Clarence A. The Mark II design was based on a sketch sent in by Army Captain C. A. The first production run of the Mark II was wasp-waisted and had a five-degree offset between the blade and the grip. 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 really enjoy knives that are engraved like this one. US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY Although a variety of handle materials have been employed for the Mark II, the majority are die-cast aluminum. It was called the Mark II combat knife and was fist produced in 1966. [1][2], At 12.75 inches (32.39cm) long it has a 6.5 inch (16.5cm) 420 HC stainless steel double edged spear point wasp-waisted blade, weighs 8 ounces, and has a die cast aluminum handle. The general rule of thumb was that a six- to seven-inch blade was optimum. 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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. [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. If so, let us know in the comments below. Its strong, easy to sharpen and can become quite sharp as well. Yet, the Gerber Mark II is a fighting weapon first and tool secondary. The handle ergonomics of the Mark II are generally considered superior to those of the F-S Fighting Knife. First introduced in 1966, this tactical knife is serialized for collectors. Has anyone else come across one from this era with engraving? Used, a little bit of stitching coming undone, but all correct. Others have called the MK-II an improved version of the WW-II Fairbairn-Sykes commando knife. Weight saving was important, and the knife weighs hardly anything. It also comes with a ballistic nylon sheath. 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. I hope your weekend went well. For more information about the Beach Jumpers in Vietnam see: http://www.psywarrior.com/beach.html and scroll down to Vietnam. If you are looking for an all originalVietnam one, you dont have to look at any in a black sheath. I was doing more hunting this weekend and came across this knife. Unfortunately it's not a vietnam era knife but could have been used post-vietnam by a Soldier/Green Beret? 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. dedicated to the commandos who carried the MK II with pictures of surviving examples. Particularly, the Mark II became a favorite with the MACV SOG teams that were the premier special operations unit in Vietnam. The HC stands for high carbon, which means it can be brought to a higher hardness than 420. It even comes with a thigh strap to secure and keep it from jumping around. Remember, that in the early years, Gerber did not keep careful records. Like the Desert Eagle, the appearance of the knife makes it a natural star. Commercial knife makers like 420HC. Also another retention strap snap has been added to the strap. 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. 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 The engraving seems legit. I am not bound by any written, verbal or implied contract to give this product a good review. My experience has taught me that there's nothing like digging in and getting started. GERBER MARK II SITE AUTHORS I served in the U.S. Navy from 1959-1963 but saw no service in Vietnam. During the school's illustrious history, a large number of 101 st Airborne Division Lurp/Rangers won that coveted award, a testament to the quality of men who served in the division's Long Range Patrol units". It was called the Mark II combat knife and was fist produced in 1966. The downside is that the steel does not hold an edge for a very long time. When you work in conditions with strict logistics, youll take the weight of an aluminum handle over something fragile. It can be sharpened tom a very fine cutting edge and has excellent corrosion resistance. Black ballistic nylon sheaths were introduced around 1985. Gerber is, of course, still in business and thriving, but go to its website and you wont find a Mark II for sale. The handle was famously made from aluminum and designed for a fencing-style grip. Its ridiculous to think that the PX, of all places, wouldnt want to arm fighting men with a fighting knife, but here we are. Shooting the BulletSafe VP3 Soft Body Armor, Uberti Remembers John Wesley Hardin with this Top Break .45 Colt. 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. It is a good solid knife, was a carry knife for troops in Vietnam. My goal is to provide helpful information about old pocket knives relating to their identification and history. First Sold in 1966, the Gerber Mk2 Fighting Knife quickly became a very popular private purchase weapon for soldiers stationed in Vietnam. Loved your article on the Mark IIyou didnt repeat the same things that everyone else reprints. The other side says "F*** Communism" so I look forward to your comments. And its just as effective today at taking care of business as it was on the day it was introduced. There have been many variations in the Mark II throughout the years of its production. With robust designs and vintage classic style, discover the heritage of military timepieces today! The Mark II was commonly carried by U.S. troops in the Vietnam War, . Recommended Posts. Date or production tables relate Gerber Mark II serial numbers to the years they were manufactured. Thanks for the heads up, the serial number A5466S is from 1982. 1970-1974 yellow-handled dive knives have no serial numbers. eBay. That length allows the blade to strike something vital in the torso from almost any angle. Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. In Vietnam and Cambodia it never left my side and I loved that knife. 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. Trzaska Table - Gerber_Numbers.jpg - Found at Frank Trzaska's site at, 199? 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. 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. 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. . Vietnam era vintage Jacques Garcia survival combat knife . The first sheaths were leather. Standing there waiting for the clerk to bag up our mail, I glanced over at this wall. Vintage Gerber Mark II Knives are very collectible and a version of this knife continues to be produced to this day. The Mark II is one of the best selling knives of all time. Manufacturer: Gerber Model: Mark II Length:12.75 in. Yep .. you beat me to it re: not a MK-II. It's a long blade but matches the themes of the time for fighting knives. Also if this knife is real, an approximate value would be greatly appreciated. Some can still be found with their original leather sheath. It utilizes an active retention strap but is quick and easy to draw. Note that for some reason no "G" serial numbers were made. Its fully jumpable. SpecialForcesHistory has an entire page dedicated to the commandos who carried the MK II with pictures of surviving examples. They were sold later as Model GB05705 "Mark II Wasp" w/ C3 Cordura sheath in the Blue and Black box. If the leading alpha character doesn't change for the year, again simple subtraction plus 1 gives the total. Its old school cool. Serrations were added to the Mark II in the 1970s. The handle changed to Armorhide in 1968, which is a brown colored epoxy that is very durable. 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. It has black diecast aluminum handles and it includes a black nylon sheath with a belt loop. After my enlistment, I worked as a test engineer and software developer for the Aerospace Industry for 34 years. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. The Parker "BIG SMOKEY . This makes it much more efficient when cutting through fibrous or flexible material. The Mark II has outstanding balance And is lively in the hand. Bud Holzman, a United States Army captain, designed the weapon, and Gerber produced it from 1966 to 2000. It received its baptism of blood one terrible dark monsoon night. These include changes in blade steel, blade profile, blade serration, handle material and color. Free shipping for many products! A former Army Captain designed the Gerber Mark II. Still have it. 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. Nine major and several minor tables/lists exist. Keep Reading. Other makers offer knives similar to the Mark II, but if you want the real deal youll have to dig a little bit to purchase one yourself. Also found at, 199? For your consideration is this vintage Gerber MK II fighting combat knife in original leather sheath and Gerber steel in original leather sheath. Also have the MK I as an excellent boot knife. The Ka-Bar, the Bowie knife, the. Hi! I received my first Gerber Mk II, sn# 13000 in the fall of 1969 during my last full tour in Vietnam. 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. Jesse, oldpocketknives.com, Oldpocketknives.com So I looked up the Gerber Command 1 but it seems a lot smaller than this one. 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. FREE shipping Add to Favorites . Note the harsh wording in the advertisement with emphasis on the knife's "deadly" aspects. The Mark II has outstanding balance And is lively in the hand. Below are some pictures of my Gerber Mk-II combat knife. I have been told he based the "wasp waist" pattern of the double-edge 7-inch blade on . When I enlisted in the Marines, I had a subscription to Leatherneck magazine sent to my parents home. Note the Gerber Mark II worn in an inverted carry, fastened to web gear on his left side. If you are looking for an all original Vietnam one, you don't have to look at any in a black sheath. Overview The Gerber Mark II features a 420 high carbon stainless steel blade with a black oxide coated finish and a full tang construction. If you . You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. 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. RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight, space and time in the most challenging environments, just add water. As it had the sharpening steel with it I fell in love with its L-6 blade. Asymmetry in blade design is a show-stopper - this actually being a Command II. The knife, serial number 9537, is missing the two leading zeros. The Mark II was designed by retired US Army Captain Clarence A. The Gerber Mark II is one of the best selling knives of all time. MSRP: $115.00, Follow our regular channel at Spotterup on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1PXrpGGfAUtZC6IVhXg2-w, Follow our site at https://spotterup.com/, Follow on Instagram as https://www.instagram.com/spotterup/, Visit my store at https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/. Donda Bernet). It comes with a limited lifetime warranty in North America and a 25- year limited warranty outside of North America. Planning is thinking about a goal and then organizing the activities to achieve the goal. The knife was never an issued one per se but became a favorite in Vietnam. Asymmetry in blade design is a show-stopper - this actually being a Command II. It can be sharpened tom a very fine cutting edge and has excellent corrosion resistance. The handle ergonomics of the Mark II are generally considered superior to those of the F-S Fighting Knife. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty. The handle on the Mark II is 5.25 inches long and has a flattened oval cross-section and tapered palm-swell design. The 1970-1974 yellow-handled dive knives have no serial numbers. Cason. Members of MACV SOG famously loved the knife and many of these commandos carried it into battle. Full production resumed in 2008 and continues to this day. The Mark II also incorporates a dual serrated edge to add to its utility. 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. Also see http://taskforceomegainc.org/s139.html for more information and details about his last mission. Fighting knives are the best knives. The Gerber has had its own rather interesting comeback in recent years. In 1982 an alpha-numeric system was adopted. Support Veteran Journalism . This steel isnt terrible but isnt as tough as something like the 154CM. It allows for an ice pick style grip, a fencing grip, or a standard hammer grip. 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. "Bud" Holzman, who served with the 101 . All Rights Reserved. In 2019 Vortex Optics released the Razor HD 4000 rangefinder with 4,000-yard reach (below). Black ballistic nylon sheaths were introduced around 1985. MIA 4/24/1969 in Cambodia. Its lighter than a bayonet and knives like the KA-BAR. 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. There have been many variations in the Mark II throughout the years of its production. Box 138 A picture of Jerry Michael Shriver, Master Sergeant, CCS, MACV-SOG (5TH SF GRP), SPECIAL FORCES U.S. Army. Both blade and handle have been painted to prevent reflections. It featured a double edged dagger blade and a tough, textured aluminum handle for a better grip. Your hand wont slip or slide into the blade as you stick and stab to kill a Commie for mommy. These include changes in blade steel, blade profile, blade serration, handle material and color. 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 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. Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. 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. Check out the Gerber Mark II today and see why it was the choice of special operations troops for generations. A lot happened in that time, and along the way, the MK II became a well reputed Cold Warrior. 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. 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's one of the best selling knives of all time and continues to see action around the globe. The page isn't dated but from the article about the Manila Mayor, I'm pretty sure it was the Dec. 21, 1966 issue. 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 honor graduate knives from the 1969 era are engraved "DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE / MACV RECONDO SCHOOL".
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