It is made in the USA. My experience has taught me that there's nothing like digging in and getting started. It has black diecast aluminum handles and it includes a black nylon sheath with a belt loop. And its just as effective today at taking care of business as it was on the day it was introduced. It also cuts better than a plain edge when dull. Its strong, easy to sharpen and can become quite sharp as well. You do not find many in country Gerber Mark II knives, let along one with such rich and well documented history of the soldier. Your email address will not be published. A Vietnam era knife. 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. Gerber Mk II found in a toolbox. Vietnam? - EDGED WEAPONS - U.S There are many combat knives and bayonets, such as the M7 and M9, that are modeled after the classic dagger or spear point. Serrations were added to the Mark II in the 1970s. "Bud" Holzman. For information about George Rex Grason see: http://www.beachjumpers.com/cason-gr.htm. 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. Kasey, Your email address will not be published. eBay. The Gerber spread among fighting men in Vietnam and also became a favorite of mercenaries in Africa. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ Below are some pictures of my Gerber Mk-II combat knife. Fortunately for collectors, all Mark II knives, except the yellow-handled dive knives, are individually serial numbered, which makes dating easy. Cond, Gerber Mk2 Mark 2 MkII Mark II Stiletto Neck Knife RETENTION Sheath Only, Gerber Mk2 Mark 2 MkII Mark II Stiletto BeltKnife RETENTION Sheath Only, UNUSED 1973 Post Vietnam Gerber MK2 MKII Commando Fighting Knife with Sheath, LIMITED EDITION Gerber Mark II Fighting Knife/Mk 2 Combat/MkII, 20th Anniversary Gerber Mark II Fighting Knife/Mk 2 Combat/MkII # XX2112, 1983 Gerber Mark II Fighting Knife/Mk 2 Combat/MkII -Collection / Serial #B5789S, RARE US 1977 GERBER MK2 Commando Fighting Knife BLACK HANDLE w/ Sheath, SUPER RARE ORIGINAL 1968 GERBER MK2 KNIFE AND SHEATH VIETNAM WAR PERSONALIZED, Gerber MK ll MK 2 Fighting Knife Sheath Only No Knife, RARE ORIGINAL PRESENTATION GERBER MK2 DAGGER ZEBRA WOOD KNIFE WITH SHEATH, RARE VINTAGE ORIGINAL GERBER MK2 KNIFE AND SHEATH WITH SHARPENER MADE IN 1974, RARE ORIGINAL VIETNAM WAR GERBER MK2 PERSONALIZED KNIFE AND SHEATH MADE IN 1971, Vintage US 1978 Gerber Mark II Survival Fighting Knife w/ Sheath, RARE VINTAGE ORIGINAL GERBER MK2 KNIFE AND SHEATH MADE IN 1977, VINTAGE GERBER MARK II 1976 Gray Handle KNIFE W/ Non Original SHEATH, Gerber LMF II Infantry (Coyote) Brown Combat Knife Fixed 4.84" Blade 420HC Steel, RARE US 1978 GERBER MK2 Commando Fighting Knife ERROR # LOGO DIES BREAKDOWN, WW2 Canadian British No 4 Mk II Spike Bayonet & Scabbard 2, WW2 Canadian British No 4 Mk II Spike Bayonet & Scabbard, WW2 Canadian British No 4 Mk II Spike Bayonet, Korean War British Canadian No4 Mk II Spike Bayonet & Scabbard w/ 52 Dated Frog, GERBER USA LMF II Military Infantry Black Drop Point Survival MINT IN SHEATH, Vintage 1986 Gerber Mark ii Fighting Knife Dagger & Scabbard, GERBER LMF II Infantry Knife with Sheath Coyote Brown. The other side says "F*** Communism" so I look forward to your comments. When it comes to military knives, few are as universally beloved as the Gerber Mark II. Check out Bob Loveless and A.G. Russell knives. Both blade and handle have been painted to prevent reflections. Gerber Mark Ii Date Table 01/05/08 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. The handle was famously made from aluminum and designed for a fencing-style grip. 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. The handle ergonomics of the Mark II are generally considered superior to those of the F-S Fighting Knife. The Gerber MK II is a product of its time, but it remains an excellent knife option to this day. SpecialForcesHistory has an entire page dedicated to the commandos who carried the MK II with pictures of surviving examples. 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 page isn't dated but from the article about the Manila Mayor, I'm pretty sure it was the Dec. 21, 1966 issue. Yep .. you beat me to it re: not a MK-II. View on eBay. 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. The grip is also super comfortable and conforms well to the hand. 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. The grip was tough but didnt offer much in the way of texture. Well, they are at least the most fascinating knives one can get their hands on. Followers 1. 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. Thanks and keep up the good work! Free shipping for many products! Probably the finest school of its kind anywhere in the world, this was the 'finishing school' of long range patrolling. *The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. Its one of the best selling knives of all time and continues to see action around the globe. If you are looking for an all originalVietnam one, you dont have to look at any in a black sheath. If so, let us know in the comments below. Prototypes were field tested and evaluated at Fort Lewis, Washington by members of the Armys Fourth Infantry Division. 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 am now retired. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Caribou Media Group | All rights reserved. [2] It was designed by retired United States Army Captain, Clarence A. Full production resumed in 2008 and continues to this day. The Mark II has a 6.5-inch blade. Also see http://taskforceomegainc.org/s139.html for more information and details about his last mission. When I was in Vietnam, my Dad saw an advertisement in the magazine for the "new" Gerber fighting knife. Used, a little bit of stitching coming undone, but all correct. Check out the Gerber Mark II today and see why it was the choice of special operations troops for generations. JMR Collectibles, LLC Not all brown ones are Vietnam, but all Vietnam ones are brown, if that makes sense. Other handle features are an angled-forward double guard and a tapered pommel with lanyard hole. Other handle features are an angled-forward double guard and a tapered pommel with lanyard hole. The Gerber MK II - A Historic Fighting Knife | SOFREP This isnt the best steel, and I wouldnt take it to war. Vietnam Era Gerber Mark II? - EDGED WEAPONS - U.S. Militaria Forum For your consideration is this vintage Gerber MK II fighting combat knife in original leather sheath and Gerber steel in original leather sheath. GERBER MARK II&trade SITE AUTHOR Unfortunately it's not a vietnam era knife but could have been used post-vietnam by a Soldier/Green Beret? The use of stainless steel does prevent corrosion and is often a great choice for survival tools. The Gerber Mark II Is One Of The Most Famous Combat Knives Ever Issued To The American Military. 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. Over time the MK II design evolved slightly but has always remained a dagger-style fighting knife. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. Its strong, and the material used for build various gun receivers, including AR 15, PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States, P.O. I've been collecting and learning about the Gerber Mark II for over 30 years. Bud Holzman, a United States Army captain, designed the weapon, and Gerber produced it from 1966 to 2000. I wouldnt hesitate to use the Mark II for hard and heavy work, but Im not often knife-fighting. Nice to know. The Parker "BIG SMOKEY . I got a Gerber Mark II knife. It received its baptism of blood one terrible dark monsoon night. These serial numbers consist of a single leading letter followed by digits from 0000 to 9999 followed by an "S" or "T". Nine major and several minor tables/lists exist. This makes it much more efficient when cutting through fibrous or flexible material. The handle changed to Armorhide in 1968, which is a brown colored epoxy that is very durable. One year in one direction or another makes a BIG difference in price. 43311 Joy Road Its unique appearance makes it a fearsome option for the screen. When they are released, they tend to sell out quickly, so keep your eyes open. With a plan, you can see how much you have progressed towards your goal and how far on your map to the next destination. Standing there waiting for the clerk to bag up our mail, I glanced over at this wall. The Gerber Mark II: A Historic Fighting Knife - BLADE Magazine Gerber Mark II | SMKW Loved your article on the Mark IIyou didnt repeat the same things that everyone else reprints. Fighting knives are the best knives. The Ka-Bar, the Bowie knife, the. Gerber designed the sheath to be multi-mount so that you could strap it to a belt or to your MOLLE gear. The first sheaths were leather. Its a good choice when ease of sharpening and toughness are important. Like the Desert Eagle, the appearance of the knife makes it a natural star. I have been told he based the wasp waist pattern of the double-edge 7-inch blade on a Roman short-sword (I assume that would be the early Mainz pattern gladius). In the 1940s, Gerber began making steak knives and eventually prized hunting knives in Portland, Oregon. NOTE: See the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site http://www.virtualwall.org/ds/ShriverJM01a.htm for more details about MSG Shriver. The Ka-Bar, the Bowie knife, the Fairbairn-Sykes, and the often forgotten Gerber Mark II Combat Knife are all famed fighting knives. Is it possible it's a gerber command 2? 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. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty. A380 is one of the most commonly specified alloys for die casting, as it offers the best combination of casting, mechanical, and thermal properties. First introduced in 1966, this tactical knife is serialized for collectors. These knives were produced commercially by Gerber and favored by troops in Vietnam. The honor graduate knives from the 1969 era are engraved "DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE / MACV RECONDO SCHOOL". If you . 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 1982 an alpha-numeric system was adopted. Holzman in 1966. In the numerous hot little wars, American and European fighting men rented themselves out to numerous governments. Item #BHQ-4289 MSRP: $132.95 Our Price: $89.95 (3) It's a long blade but matches the themes of the time for fighting knives. These include changes in blade steel, blade profile, blade serration, handle material and color. It allows for an ice pick style grip, a fencing grip, or a standard hammer grip. It even comes with a thigh strap to secure and keep it from jumping around. Share #1 Posted April 5, 2012. The blade is 6.5 inches long, and contemporary versions of it are made from 420 HC stainless steel. I have been told he based the "wasp waist" pattern of the double-edge 7-inch blade on . A page out of the Vietnam SAIGON POST Newspaper in the early years of the war. 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. 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. After the war, wondering about the history of the knife, Charlie wrote to Gerber (this was years before the internet) and sent a picture of the knife and its serial number hoping Gerber could tell him who had originally purchased it and when. It is incredibly durable and very well made. It has a 6-1/2" blade that is 1/8" thick. When I enlisted in the Marines, I had a subscription to Leatherneck magazine sent to my parents home. Gerber Mark II Vietnam Tribute Navy | SMKW Made in 1972. NO RESERVE-GERBER"71 MARK II VIETNAM FIGHTING KNIFE 5 DEG CANTED GREY ARMORHIDE . Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States. Also if this knife is real, an approximate value would be greatly appreciated. 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. 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