gerber mk ii vietnam

The modern knives run for around 70 bucks but are made from 420 HC. If you are looking for an all original Vietnam one, you don't have to look at any in a black sheath. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty in North America and a 25- year limited warranty outside of North America. 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 Vietnam era vintage Jacques Garcia survival combat knife . Vietnam mark II 1972 combat knife $ 650.00. The impressive little rangefinder worked What Are Coach Guns? Other handle features are an angled-forward double guard and a tapered pommel with lanyard hole. Aluminum is an unusual choice for a knifes handle, but it works here. Recommended Posts. By the 1960's, Gerber decided to manufacture a knife that could be used in combat during the war in Vietnam. Check out the Gerber Mark II today and see why it was the choice of special operations troops for generations. The knife, serial number 9537, is missing the two leading zeros. Weight saving was important, and the knife weighs hardly anything. My experience has taught me that there's nothing like digging in and getting started. The Mark II was designed by retired US Army Captain Clarence A. Support Veteran Journalism . Note the Gerber Mark II worn on a belt on the right hip. The Mark II was designed by retired US Army Captain Clarence A. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. Bud Holzman, who served with the 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles) in the European theatre during WWII. Save my name and email to use for future comments. The Mark II went into commercial production in late 1966. Canton, MI 48187 These knives were produced commercially by Gerber and favored by troops in Vietnam. The blade is now made from a 420HC high carbon stainless steel. It is incredibly durable and very well made. With robust designs and vintage classic style, discover the heritage of military timepieces today! "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. http://knifecollector.net/Gerber-MkII-Production-Chart.html. The engraving seems legit. View on eBay. First Designed in 1966 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. The Parker "BIG SMOKEY . 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. 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. Also see http://taskforceomegainc.org/s139.html for more information and details about his last mission. Unfortunately it's not a vietnam era knife but could have been used post-vietnam by a Soldier/Green Beret? US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY Learn how your comment data is processed. A plan is like a map. As with many popular designs, various companies started producing their own version, hoping to get a part of the military and civilian markets. If the leading alpha character doesn't change for the year, again simple subtraction plus 1 gives the total. You have entered an incorrect email address! If you . Overview The Gerber Mark II features a 420 high carbon stainless steel blade with a black oxide coated finish and a full tang construction. Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. [1] [2] Hi Nick - I would recommend studying these just a little, if youre going to try and buy one. These include changes in blade steel, blade profile, blade serration, handle material and color. Its made in the USA at Gerbers Portland, Oregon factory. 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. The Mark II is a true classic that belongs in every knife collection. The blade has a zero-degree cant. This makes it much more efficient when cutting through fibrous or flexible material. You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. 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. It is made in the USA. Great knife and I believe this model was only produced a few years. When the alpha letter changes during the year, a double calculation is done. Note that for some reason no "G" serial numbers were made. A serrated edge is also functionally longer cutting surface, so it will hold up longer without needing to be resharpened. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. Gerber Mark II - Wikipedia 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. Thanks and keep up the good work! Also found at, 199? 1968 Vietnam Era Gerber MKII Combat Dagger - YouTube 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. 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. Used, a little bit of stitching coming undone, but all correct. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. 420HC is a martensitic 420 series stainless steel. The new Mark II uses the same classic dagger-like design and metal grip and handguard. 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. Gerber C.A. 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. In Aliens, its the knife of choice of the Colonial Marines, and the Winter Soldier tries to kill Captain America with one. JMR Collectibles, LLC USAF Vietnam commemorative SOG style knife Murphy Combat Richmond VA . This steel isnt terrible but isnt as tough as something like the 154CM. eBay. 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. And he designed it not just to be a tool but a weapon. Specifications If you examine the photo closely, you can see the sharpening steel on the knife sheath face. It's easy! If you are looking for an all originalVietnam one, you dont have to look at any in a black sheath. The MK-II was designed by retired Army Captain Bud Holzman, not Al Mar. The Gerber MK II features a 6.5-inch dagger blade. The Mainz Gladius was a short dagger that was given to senior officers in the Roman Army and was considered a prestigious status symbol. The other side says "F*** Communism" so I look forward to your comments. The downside is that the steel does not hold an edge for a very long time. 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. The page isn't dated but from the article about the Manila Mayor, I'm pretty sure it was the Dec. 21, 1966 issue. This dual-edged blade, with its dagger point, will penetrate deep and with ease. A lot happened in that time, and along the way, the MK II became a well reputed Cold Warrior. 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. 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. I really enjoy knives that are engraved like this one. It is a good solid knife, was a carry knife for troops in Vietnam. Gerber Mark Ii Knife - Etsy Other handle features are an angled-forward double guard and a tapered pommel with lanyard hole. GERBER Mark II PRODUCTION DATE INFORMATION In 1982 an alpha-numeric system was adopted. Over time the MK II design evolved slightly but has always remained a dagger-style fighting knife. GERBER MARK II SITE AUTHORS I served in the U.S. Navy from 1959-1963 but saw no service in Vietnam. It also cuts better than a plain edge when dull. 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. By the 1960s, Gerber decided to manufacture a knife that could be used in combat during the war in Vietnam. 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. 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. Engraved on the blade has a master parachutist badge, Hal Left, and a parachute. They were sold later as Model GB05705 "Mark II Wasp" w/ C3 Cordura sheath in the Blue and Black box. I am not bound by any written, verbal or implied contract to give this product a good review. On the Mark II, this narrower section comes toward the guard, and the edge on both sides has small serrations. Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. The handle ergonomics of the Mark II are generally considered superior to those of the F-S Fighting Knife. In the 1970s, the military's base/post exchanges discontinued selling these knives, reasoning that they were "not in good taste" or "too brutal". Lance Gerber, courtesy Coachella. Its fully jumpable. 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. Its a long blade but matches the themes of the time for fighting knives. As is the case with the F-S, the Mark II is a purpose-built combat dagger with excellent penetration and reach. Probably the finest school of its kind anywhere in the world, this was the 'finishing school' of long range patrolling. Also no records exist for "S/Ns A3012S-A4010S (Ref. MIA 4/24/1969 in Cambodia. by Wayne Goddard The Mark II has outstanding balance And is lively in the hand. dedicated to the commandos who carried the MK II with pictures of surviving examples. Powered by Invision Community, US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY. Commercial knife makers like 420HC. eBay. I am now retired. Its old school cool. Note the Gerber Mark II worn in an inverted carry, fastened to web gear on his left side. Bud Holzmann, who based the pattern on a Roman Mainz Gladius. I have been told he based the "wasp waist" pattern of the double-edge 7-inch blade on . Vietnam War Knives for sale - Old Pocket Knives 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. In addition, the original retaining strap has been replaced with a nylon strap with velcro closure. Asymmetry in blade design is a show-stopper - this actually being a Command II. That length allows the blade to strike something vital in the torso from almost any angle. Like the Desert Eagle, the appearance of the knife makes it a natural star. 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 Mark II has outstanding balance And is lively in the hand. For more information about the Beach Jumpers in Vietnam see: http://www.psywarrior.com/beach.html and scroll down to Vietnam. Yes, you can, but its not so straightforward. Pictures of the actual knife that Terry carried are shown below. There are many combat knives and bayonets, such as the M7 and M9, that are modeled after the classic dagger or spear point. Gerber Mark II | SMKW The Gerber MK II - A Historic Fighting Knife | SOFREP NOTE: See the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site http://www.virtualwall.org/ds/ShriverJM01a.htm for more details about MSG Shriver. As is the case with the F-S, the Mark II is a purpose-built combat dagger with excellent penetration and reach. 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. 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. Gerber has remade the knife and releases batches at a time. Black butt with lanyard hole and leather lanyard. [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]. GR or Rex as he was called was a Senior Chief Petty Officer Radioman with Team 13 of BJU1 (Beach Jumper Unit 1) and served in Vietnam in 1969-1970. All Rights Reserved. And its just as effective today at taking care of business as it was on the day it was introduced. Required fields are marked *. The first sheaths were leather. GERBER MKII, Mark2, FIGHTING KNIFE, VIETNAM ERA, 1972, 024632, GERBER It could penetrate the torso of a bad guy and be long enough to reach something vital from any angle. 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. The Mainz Gladius was an ancient knife found at an archaeological site. Here's my Vietnam era Mark II. 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. THANK YOU!!! Prototypes were field tested and evaluated at Fort Lewis, Washington by members of the Armys Fourth Infantry Division. Note the harsh wording in the advertisement with emphasis on the knife's "deadly" aspects. As Bearmon points out, this isn't even a MKII. Its strong, easy to sharpen and can become quite sharp as well. It has black diecast aluminum handles and it includes a black nylon sheath with a belt loop. First introduced in 1966, this tactical knife is serialized for collectors. Straight blade Mark II - Serial Number 007338 - This knife was carried by RMCS G.R. The choice was a dagger designed for sticking, but equally capable of cutting and slashing. The Gerber Mark II has a suggested retail price of $115,00. Your email address will not be published. For information about George Rex Grason see: http://www.beachjumpers.com/cason-gr.htm. 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. 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 The first sheaths were leather. And its just as effective today at taking care of business as it was on the day it was introduced. Yet, the Gerber Mark II is a fighting weapon first and tool secondary. 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. Its strong, and the material used for build various gun receivers, including AR 15 80% lowers. In 1982 an alpha-numeric system was adopted. The grip was tough but didnt offer much in the way of texture. It is incredibly durable and very well made. Anniversary knives are not blade marked. The 1970-1974 yellow-handled dive knives have no serial numbers. "Bud" Holzmann, who based the pattern on a Roman Mainz Gladius. 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Gerber Mark II for sale - Blade HQ NO RESERVE-GERBER"71 MARK II VIETNAM FIGHTING KNIFE 5 DEG CANTED GREY ARMORHIDE . 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. 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. / 32.385 cm Weight: 8 oz. Its a great and affordable item for any knife collection. 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. MIA 4/24/1969 in Cambodia. It's one of the best selling knives of all time and continues to see action around the globe. 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. The HC stands for high carbon, which means it can be brought to a higher hardness than 420. First Sold in 1966, the Gerber Mk2 Fighting Knife quickly became a very popular private purchase weapon for soldiers stationed in Vietnam. Terry was originally a Marine who became a SEAL team member and was a medic, HM1. That is not a Gerber Mark Two it is a Gerber Command 1. The Gerber has had its own rather interesting comeback in recent years. Has anyone else come across one from this era with engraving? gerber mk ii for sale | eBay The NVA soldier was killed in an ambush in Vietnam's Central Highlands, somewhere west of Buon Ma Thout, in October of 1968 . In 2019 Vortex Optics released the Razor HD 4000 rangefinder with 4,000-yard reach (below). RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight, space and time in the most challenging environments, just add water. The inspiration from the blade comes from the Roman Mainz Gladius. 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 . Overall length is 12.75 inches / 32.385 cm and weight is 8.0 ounces. Picture is not detailed enough to determine if possibly the wrist tie was used to insure the knife would not be lost. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ In either case, the knife was obviously created to be a deadly weapon first and a tool second. Carried a MKII in a chest rig for quite a few years while in the AF. Its old school cool. These include changes in blade steel, blade profile, blade serration, handle material and color. The MK I was a smaller variant of its predecessor and featured a 4.75-inch blade. You do not find many in country Gerber Mark II knives, let along one with such rich and well documented history of the soldier. 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 lighter than a bayonet and knives like the KA-BAR. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Caribou Media Group | All rights reserved. They trusted the knife, and thats critical when its the last line of defense one might have. These serial numbers consist of a single leading letter followed by digits from 0000 to 9999 followed by an "S" or "T". A major disadvantage of most serrated blades is that they are more difficult to sharpen, requiring a special sharpening tool. 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. The handle is made from die-cast aluminum which helps keep the weight to just eight ounces. Asymmetry in blade design is a show-stopper - this actually being a Command II. 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. A page out of the Vietnam SAIGON POST Newspaper in the early years of the war. Also if this knife is real, an approximate value would be greatly appreciated. 5.11 Molle Packable Slingpack and Backpack, Rites of Passage: Coming of Age in Cinema, Role Models and the need for boys to partake of them, Andy Curtis former Green Beret- Faith Love and Violence. I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer so I could test it and give my honest feedback. Of the 5,395 men admitted to the school 3,357 graduated as Recondos. 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 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. Cason. Serrations were added to the Mark II in the 1970s. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States. When it comes to military knives, few are as universally beloved as the Gerber Mark II. All Rights Reserved. Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. It's a long blade but matches the themes of the time for fighting knives. The handle was designed to be an effective yawara. Coach guns were typically double-barreled shotguns with short barrels that made them easy to maneuver in 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme. So, sometime after that date, Charlie's Mark II was purchased by a U.S. soldier and taken to Nam. [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. The Mark I had a 4.75 inch (12cm) blade and was marketed as a boot knife.[6]. It allows for an ice pick style grip, a fencing grip, or a standard hammer grip. Your hand wont slip or slide into the blade as you stick and stab to kill a Commie for mommy. "Bud" Holzman. Phone 734.386.1984. A major disadvantage of most serrated blades is that they are more difficult to sharpen, requiring a special sharpening tool. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Showing 1 - 1 of 1 items 1 of 1 Items: Sort by: My Gerber Mk-II combat knife - U.S. Militaria Forum Its strong, and the material used for build various gun receivers, including AR 15, PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States, P.O. Hi! As it had the sharpening steel with it I fell in love with its L-6 blade. Manufacturer: Gerber Model: Mark II Length:12.75 in. Black ballistic nylon sheaths were introduced around 1985. My goal is to provide helpful information about old pocket knives relating to their identification and history. 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. It also cuts better than a plain edge when dull. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States. 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). It utilizes an active retention strap but is quick and easy to draw. Some can still be found with their original leather sheath. It has a 6.5" double serrated spear point blade that is .18" thick. I have a question for you and Im wondering if youd respond to my private email? Geber & Randall - The Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knives