My experience has taught me that there's nothing like digging in and getting started. When I was in Vietnam, my Dad saw an advertisement in the magazine for the "new" Gerber fighting knife. 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. The Gerber Mark II is one of the best selling knives of all time. The handle was famously made from aluminum and designed for a fencing-style grip. The blade is now made from a 420HC high carbon stainless steel. Save my name and email to use for future comments. Full production resumed in 2008 and continues to this day. I received my first Gerber Mk II, sn# 13000 in the fall of 1969 during my last full tour in Vietnam. 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. GERBER MARK II SITE AUTHORS I served in the U.S. Navy from 1959-1963 but saw no service in Vietnam. 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 old school cool. The handle on the Mark II is 5.25 inches long and has a flattened oval cross-section and tapered palm-swell design. Note that the sheath has two repairs. 43311 Joy Road Its a long blade but matches the themes of the time for fighting knives. Mr. Scratch. It also comes with a ballistic nylon sheath. Thanks and keep up the good work! Id like your opinion on something. Over time the MK II design evolved slightly but has always remained a dagger-style fighting knife. I am not bound by any written, verbal or implied contract to give this product a good review. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. FREE shipping Add to Favorites . Vietnam? http://www.virtualwall.org/ds/ShriverJM01a.htm. Gerber C.A. "Beach Jumper" was the cover name of U.S. Navy special warfare units. The grip is also super comfortable and conforms well to the hand. Its made in the USA at Gerbers Portland, Oregon factory. A serrated edge is also functionally longer cutting surface, so it will hold up longer without needing to be resharpened. The impressive little rangefinder worked What Are Coach Guns? For more information about the Beach Jumpers in Vietnam see: http://www.psywarrior.com/beach.html and scroll down to Vietnam. dedicated to the commandos who carried the MK II with pictures of surviving examples. 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. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I wouldnt hesitate to use the Mark II for hard and heavy work, but Im not often knife-fighting. 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. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product. However, the ones of recent make that are available are reasonably priced at right around $100-$115. Commercial knife makers like 420HC. Nkumburis, Date or production tables relate Gerber Mark II serial numbers to the years they were manufactured. The Mainz Gladius was a short dagger that was given to senior officers in the Roman Army and was considered a prestigious status symbol. Holzman in 1966. This makes it much more efficient when cutting through fibrous or flexible material. 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. Summary: This is an outstanding piece of Vietnam History from the estate of a true warrior that honorably served for over 33 years.
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. A Vietnam era knife. The first sheaths were leather. Gerber Mark II Fighting Knife W/Sheath USA MKII Vietnam Era 1970 . For information about George Rex Grason see: http://www.beachjumpers.com/cason-gr.htm. In the 1970s, the military's base/post exchanges discontinued selling these knives, reasoning that they were "not in good taste" or "too brutal". 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. Production Number Explanation 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. The Mark II went into commercial production in late 1966. You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty in North America and a 25- year limited warranty outside of North America. The handle was designed to be an effective yawara. The MK I was a smaller variant of its predecessor and featured a 4.75-inch blade. MK II implies the existence of an MK I, and youd be right. RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight, space and time in the most challenging environments, just add water. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Spotter Up Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site. 420HC is a martensitic 420 series stainless steel. They trusted the knife, and thats critical when its the last line of defense one might have. Support Veteran Journalism . The Gerber MK II is a product of its time, but it remains an excellent knife option to this day. Note the Gerber Mark II worn on a belt on the right hip. Asymmetry in blade design is a show-stopper - this actually being a Command II. (tt) Blades etched in 3 lines on the Gerber logo side: GERBER / 70th. Support Veteran Journalism . 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 . Aluminum is an unusual choice for a knifes handle, but it works here. 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 more modern nylon sheath that will fit on a belt or a MOLLE platform. There have been many variations in the Mark II throughout the years of its production. NO RESERVE-GERBER"71 MARK II VIETNAM FIGHTING KNIFE 5 DEG CANTED GREY ARMORHIDE . 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. And he designed it not just to be a tool but a weapon. Gerber designed the sheath to be multi-mount so that you could strap it to a belt or to your MOLLE gear. It has a 6.5" double serrated spear point blade that is .18" thick. Shooting the BulletSafe VP3 Soft Body Armor, Uberti Remembers John Wesley Hardin with this Top Break .45 Colt. The honor graduate knives from the 1969 era are engraved "DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE / MACV RECONDO SCHOOL". Not all brown ones are Vietnam, but all Vietnam ones are brown, if that makes sense. The Gerber MK II has constantly been featured in movies and series. Showing 1 - 1 of 1 items 1 of 1 Items: Sort by: Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vietnam Era Gerber Mk2 MKII survival knife 1967 004741 First Year No Sheath at the best online prices at eBay! This dual-edged blade, with its dagger point, will penetrate deep and with ease. It received its baptism of blood one terrible dark monsoon night. 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 a great and affordable item for any knife collection. Gerberguy Table - "GERBERGuy's GERBER LEGENDARY BLADES Collector's Website" originally found at, 199? 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. Your email address will not be published. USAF Vietnam commemorative SOG style knife Murphy Combat Richmond VA . It was called the Mark II combat knife and was fist produced in 1966. These include changes in blade steel, blade profile, blade serration, handle material and color. In America, the design of fixed-blade fighting knives has changed over time based on contemporary tactics and trends, and the wars being fought. Free shipping for many products! It's easy! A serrated edge is also functionally longer cutting surface, so it will hold up longer without needing to be resharpened. If so, let us know in the comments below. "Bud" Holzman, who served with the 101 . Anniversary knives are not blade marked. Ep 25 | GWWM John Valentine Combatives, and Deeds of Arms, Where is combatives today. The other side says "F*** Communism" so I look forward to your comments. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. I hope your weekend went well. Base PXs carried the MK II up until they decided it wasnt a politically correct enough blade. This knife is good for one thing, and thats killing the enemies of democracy. A serrated edge essentially cuts by tearing rather than slicing. The MK II was the suggested blade in Paladin Press's controversial how-to book When you work in conditions with strict logistics, youll take the weight of an aluminum handle over something fragile. Pictures of the actual knife that Terry carried are shown below. The Mark II was designed by retired US Army Captain Clarence A. This includes thick ropes, roots, and heavy canvas materials. First Sold in 1966, the Gerber Mk2 Fighting Knife quickly became a very popular private purchase weapon for soldiers stationed in Vietnam. Your hand wont slip or slide into the blade as you stick and stab to kill a Commie for mommy. by Wayne Goddard
Share More sharing options. All Rights Reserved. The Mark II has a 6.5-inch blade. 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. *The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. The Mark II was designed by retired US Army Captain Clarence A. Its made in the USA at Gerbers Portland, Oregon factory. It can be sharpened tom a very fine cutting edge and has excellent corrosion resistance. The Mark II stands out thanks to its blade design. When they are released, they tend to sell out quickly, so keep your eyes open. View on eBay. [1] [2] A surprising variety of sheaths have been associated with the Mark II. A surprising variety of sheaths have been associated with the Mark II. Jesse, oldpocketknives.com, Oldpocketknives.com 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 general rule of thumb was that a six- to seven-inch blade was. These knives were produced commercially by Gerber and favored by troops in Vietnam.
It utilizes an active retention strap but is quick and easy to draw. Of the 5,395 men admitted to the school 3,357 graduated as Recondos. Gerber should release a premium model in 154 CM or S30V, and Id gladly pick one up, even for the increased cost. Its fully jumpable. In 1982 an alpha-numeric system was adopted. MIA 4/24/1969 in Cambodia. I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer so I could test it and give my honest feedback. Its one of the best selling knives of all time and continues to see action around the globe. Item #BHQ-4289 MSRP: $132.95 Our Price: $89.95 (3) 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. 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. It also cuts better than a plain edge when dull. Also another retention strap snap has been added to the strap. Note that for some reason no "G" serial numbers were made. Yeah, the stores where Americas killers shop thought a knife was too untasteful. 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. As far as legendary fighting knives go, there are a few that stand the test of time. It even comes with a thigh strap to secure and keep it from jumping around. These include changes in blade steel, blade profile, blade serration, handle material and color. Al Mar, who was working for Gerber at the time, added two inches of scalloped saw-tooth double serrations toward the hilt. (qq) Blades etched in 2 lines on the Gerber logo side: Mark II / 35th Anniversary 1966 - 2001 . 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. [2] It was designed by retired United States Army Captain, Clarence A. The handle ergonomics of the Mark II are generally considered superior to those of the F-S Fighting Knife. Yep .. you beat me to it re: not a MK-II. You have entered an incorrect email address! MIA 4/24/1969 in Cambodia. / 16.51 cm Blade Style: Double-Edge Dagger, Double-Serrated Blade Finish: Black Oxide Handle Material: Die-Cast A380 Aluminum Handle-Finish: Black Powder Coat Sheath Material: Black Ballistic Nylon w/ Hard Polymer Liner MOLLE/PALS Compatible: Yes Jumpable: Yes Country of Origin: USA Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty (North America); 25-year Limited Warranty Outside North America. 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. 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. Particularly, the Mark II became a favorite with the MACV SOG teams that were the premier special operations unit in Vietnam. The MACV Recondo School operated from 1966 to 1971. When I enlisted in the Marines, I had a subscription to Leatherneck magazine sent to my parents home. Still have it. 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. 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 All Rights Reserved. A plan is like a map. First introduced in 1966, this tactical knife is serialized for collectors. Bud Holzman, who served with the 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles) in the European theatre during WWII. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The long serrated edge makes it super easy to cut through thicker and denser materials. JMR Collectibles, LLC The page isn't dated but from the article about the Manila Mayor, I'm pretty sure it was the Dec. 21, 1966 issue. 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 Mark I had a 4.75 inch (12cm) blade and was marketed as a boot knife.[6]. The Mark II also incorporates a dual serrated edge to add to its utility. Sign up for a new account in our community. Also have the MK I as an excellent boot knife. Planning is thinking about a goal and then organizing the activities to achieve the goal. The Mark II also has a double-edged spear point blade but with one massive exception: the wasp waist. The Gerber Mark II is a fighting knife manufactured by Gerber Legendary Blades from 1967 to 2000, with an additional limited run of 1500 in 2002, and full production resuming as of July 2008. . Great knife and I believe this model was only produced a few years. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. Thanks for the heads up, the serial number A5466S is from 1982. Bud Holzmann, who based the pattern on a Roman Mainz Gladius. Picture is not detailed enough to determine if possibly the wrist tie was used to insure the knife would not be lost. This makes it much more efficient when cutting through fibrous or flexible material. in North America and a 25- year limited warranty outside of North America. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Caribou Media Group | All rights reserved. Therefore 6477 "F" knives + 4855 "H" knives gives the total knives made that year as 11,332. 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. This allows them to be sharpened at the same time as the blade and makes sharpening a breeze. I will do my best to provide opportunities for collectors to add knives to their collections through my shop and best of eBay pages. RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight, space and time in the most challenging environments, just add water. By the 1960's, Gerber decided to manufacture a knife that could be used in combat during the war in Vietnam. The design is iconic, and they are still offered today. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. The knife was never an issued one per se but became a favorite in Vietnam. The blade is 6.5 inches long, and contemporary versions of it are made from 420 HC stainless steel. 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Of course, each contained what was a unique concept for the time: a purpose built, commercial fighting knife, the Gerber MK-II Combat. 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. And its just as effective today at taking care of business as it was on the day it was introduced. This isnt the best steel, and I wouldnt take it to war. A page out of the Vietnam SAIGON POST Newspaper in the early years of the war. Not the deepest youll find on a knife, the serrations are still there to cut. Original Item: Only One Available. Standing there waiting for the clerk to bag up our mail, I glanced over at this wall. I was doing more hunting this weekend and came across this knife. The knife is 12-3/4" overall and weighs 8 ounces. Specifications In 1982 an alpha-numeric system was adopted. Keep Reading. The Ka-Bar, the Bowie knife, the Fairbairn-Sykes, and the often forgotten Gerber Mark II Combat Knife are all famed fighting knives. The Gerber MK II features a 6.5-inch dagger blade. They were sold later as Model GB05705 "Mark II Wasp" w/ C3 Cordura sheath in the Blue and Black box. The Gerber Mark II Is One Of The Most Famous Combat Knives Ever Issued To The American Military. It was called the Mark II combat knife and was fist produced in 1966. Unfortunately it's not a vietnam era knife but could have been used post-vietnam by a Soldier/Green Beret? And its just as effective today at taking care of business as it was on the day it was introduced. Note the Gerber Mark II hanging on his belt. The Mark II was commonly carried by U.S. troops in the Vietnam War, . It can be sharpened tom a very fine cutting edge and has excellent corrosion resistance. 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. Gerber is, of course, still in business and thriving, but go to its website and you wont find a Mark II for sale. Gerber Mark II In the 1940's, Gerber began making steak knives and eventually prized hunting knives in Portland, Oregon. Note the harsh wording in the advertisement with emphasis on the knife's "deadly" aspects. Overview The Gerber Mark II features a 420 high carbon stainless steel blade with a black oxide coated finish and a full tang construction. View on . The NVA soldier was killed in an ambush in Vietnam's Central Highlands, somewhere west of Buon Ma Thout, in October of 1968 . Has anyone else come across one from this era with engraving? Its old school cool. Recommended Posts. [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. As Bearmon points out, this isnt even a MKII. View on eBay. Black butt with lanyard hole and leather lanyard. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. A picture of Jerry Michael Shriver, Master Sergeant, CCS, MACV-SOG (5TH SF GRP), SPECIAL FORCES U.S. Army. A major disadvantage of most serrated blades is that they are more difficult to sharpen, requiring a special sharpening tool. The ads were soon toned down. It was advertised as a boot knife rather than a fighting knife. Oldpocketknives.com is an online resource for collectors of vintage pocket knives. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States. Vintage Gerber Mark II Knives are very collectible and a version of this knife continues to be produced to this day. Commercial knife makers like 420HC. The handle changed to Armorhide in 1968, which is a brown colored epoxy that is very durable. When it comes to military knives, few are as universally beloved as the Gerber Mark II. 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. I have been told he based the "wasp waist" pattern of the double-edge 7-inch blade on . For utility purposes, there are better knives. With robust designs and vintage classic style, discover the heritage of military timepieces today! The Mark II design was based on a sketch sent in by Army Captain C. A. There are many combat knives and bayonets, such as the M7 and M9, that are modeled after the classic dagger or spear point. Gerber Mk II found in a toolbox. "Bud" Holzman.
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