gerber mk ii vietnam

The Gerber has had its own rather interesting comeback in recent years. The Gerber MK-II is said to have been designed around a drawing sent to the company by Army Captain C.A. As far as legendary fighting knives go, there are a few that stand the test of time. Vietnam mark II 1972 combat knife $ 650.00. Note the Gerber Mark II worn on a belt on the right hip. The handle changed to Armorhide in 1968, which is a brown colored epoxy that is very durable. 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. Fighting knives are the best knives. US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY Full production resumed in 2008 and continues to this day. Vintage Gerber Mark II Knives are very collectible and a version of this knife continues to be produced to this day. [3] It has a distinctive look similar to that of the FairbairnSykes fighting knife developed during World War II for the British Commandos. After my enlistment, I worked as a test engineer and software developer for the Aerospace Industry for 34 years. The handle ergonomics of the Mark II are generally considered superior to those of the F-S Fighting Knife. Gerberguy Table - "GERBERGuy's GERBER LEGENDARY BLADES Collector's Website" originally found at, 199? As Bearmon points out, this isnt even a MKII. Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. I will do my best to provide opportunities for collectors to add knives to their collections through my shop and best of eBay pages. It even comes with a thigh strap to secure and keep it from jumping around. Donda Bernet). Note that for some reason no "G" serial numbers were made. Base PXs carried the MK II up until they decided it wasnt a politically correct enough blade. 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. The Mark II was designed by retired US Army Captain Clarence A. 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 . Learn how your comment data is processed. The original purchaser was probably Special Forces as they trained to become jump qualified at Ft. Benning's jump school. The MACV Recondo School operated from 1966 to 1971. 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. Prototypes were field tested and evaluated at Fort Lewis, Washington by members of the Armys Fourth Infantry Division. Some can still be found with their original leather sheath. A picture of Terry Bryant, VICTOR PLATOON, U.S. Navy ST1 (SEAL TEAM 1) taken in 1971 in Vietnam. Great knife and I believe this model was only produced a few years. The Mark II design was based on a sketch sent in by Army Captain C. A. Production continued until 2000, with an additional limited production run of 1,500 knives in 2002. Gerber should release a premium model in 154 CM or S30V, and Id gladly pick one up, even for the increased cost. Bud Holzmann, who based the pattern on a Roman Mainz Gladius. The knife, serial number 9537, is missing the two leading zeros. Commercial knife makers like 420HC. Share More sharing options. You have entered an incorrect email address! The use of stainless steel does prevent corrosion and is often a great choice for survival tools. RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight, space and time in the most challenging environments, just add water. I. ts a good choice when ease of sharpening and toughness are important. The Mark II went into commercial production in late 1966. 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 Ka-Bar, the Bowie knife, the. So (F9999S - F3523S + 1) = 6477 and (H4854S - H0000S + 1 ) = 4855. 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. Its a good choice when ease of sharpening and toughness are important. Not all brown ones are Vietnam, but all Vietnam ones are brown, if that makes sense. Note the Gerber Mark II hanging on his belt. The Gerber Mark II Is One Of The Most Famous Combat Knives Ever Issued To The American Military. Specifications and No, its NOT for sale. [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. Mr. Scratch. JMR Collectibles, LLC It can be sharpened tom a very fine cutting edge and has excellent corrosion resistance. If you are looking for an all originalVietnam one, you dont have to look at any in a black sheath. Made in 1972. If you are looking for an all original Vietnam one, you don't have to look at any in a black sheath. It allows for an ice pick style grip, a fencing grip, or a standard hammer grip. / 32.385 cm Weight: 8 oz. You do not find many in country Gerber Mark II knives, let along one with such rich and well documented history of the soldier. The Gerber Mark II has a suggested retail price of $115,00. As is the case with the F-S, the Mark II is a purpose-built combat dagger with excellent penetration and reach. The Gerber MK II features a 6.5-inch dagger blade. The Parker "BIG SMOKEY . Fortunately for collectors, all Mark II knives, except the yellow-handled dive knives, are individually serial numbered, which makes dating easy. Carried a MKII in a chest rig for quite a few years while in the AF. A lot happened in that time, and along the way, the MK II became a well reputed Cold Warrior. Sign up for a new account in our community. / 226.796 g Blade Steel: 420HC Stainless Steel Blade Length: 6.5 in. It's one of the best selling knives of all time and continues to see action around the globe. First Designed in 1966 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. It received its baptism of blood one terrible dark monsoon night. 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. As it had the sharpening steel with it I fell in love with its L-6 blade. 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. Bud Holzman, who served with the 101, 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. Is it possible it's a gerber command 2? It was called the Mark II combat knife and was fist produced in 1966. The Mark II was commonly carried by U.S. troops in the Vietnam War, . [2] It was designed by retired United States Army Captain, Clarence A. It is made in the USA. It's easy! 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. Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. When they are released, they tend to sell out quickly, so keep your eyes open. Commercial knife makers like 420HC. A serrated edge essentially cuts by tearing rather than slicing. I recently discovered that I was wrong about the original designer. Bud Holzman, who served with the 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles) in the European theatre during WWII. For utility purposes, there are better knives. Overview The Gerber Mark II features a 420 high carbon stainless steel blade with a black oxide coated finish and a full tang construction. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States. 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. 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 ridiculous to think that the PX, of all places, wouldnt want to arm fighting men with a fighting knife, but here we are. 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I received my first Gerber Mk II, sn# 13000 in the fall of 1969 during my last full tour in Vietnam. The MK-II was designed by retired Army Captain Bud Holzman, not Al Mar. 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. Member; 174 Location: Eugene OR. Black ballistic nylon sheaths were introduced around 1985. Nine major and several minor tables/lists exist. They specialized in deception and psychological warfare (psyops). The design is iconic, and they are still offered today. [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 handle was famously made from aluminum and designed for a fencing-style grip. The Mark II uses a dagger type design making it less of a slasher and more of a stabber. I have a question for you and Im wondering if youd respond to my private email? Its old school cool. These knives were produced commercially by Gerber and favored by troops in Vietnam. 43311 Joy Road Over time the MK II design evolved slightly but has always remained a dagger-style fighting knife. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Caribou Media Group | All rights reserved. It's a long blade but matches the themes of the time for fighting knives. After a lot of use, the straps stretched increasing the chance of losing the knife. The grip was tough but didnt offer much in the way of texture. "Bud" Holzmann, who based the pattern on a Roman Mainz Gladius. They were sold later as Model GB05705 "Mark II Wasp" w/ C3 Cordura sheath in the Blue and Black box. Your hand wont slip or slide into the blade as you stick and stab to kill a Commie for mommy. 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. Loved your article on the Mark IIyou didnt repeat the same things that everyone else reprints. It utilizes an active retention strap but is quick and easy to draw. By Mr. Scratch, April 5, 2012 in EDGED WEAPONS. 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. in North America and a 25- year limited warranty outside of North America. The Gerber MK II features a 6.5-inch dagger blade. Its fully jumpable. First Introduced In 1966, It Still Endures Today. This makes it much more efficient when cutting through fibrous or flexible material. It featured a double edged dagger blade and a tough, textured aluminum handle for a better grip. 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. Free shipping for many products! The general rule of thumb was that a six- to seven-inch blade was. The new Mark II uses the same classic dagger-like design and metal grip and handguard. March 28, 2021 in EDGED WEAPONS. Support Veteran Journalism . Not the deepest youll find on a knife, the serrations are still there to cut. So, sometime after that date, Charlie's Mark II was purchased by a U.S. soldier and taken to Nam. The knife is 12-3/4" overall and weighs 8 ounces. 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. The Mainz Gladius was an ancient knife found at an archaeological site. Gerber designed the sheath to be multi-mount so that you could strap it to a belt or to your MOLLE gear. The other side says "F*** Communism" so I look forward to your comments. Jesse, oldpocketknives.com, Oldpocketknives.com The Mark II also incorporates a dual serrated edge to add to its utility. / 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. Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. The Mark II was designed by retired US Army Captain Clarence A. 420HC is a martensitic 420 series stainless steel. Yes, you can, but its not so straightforward. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ , Pikes Manly Gift Picks: Knife Edition 2020, PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States, P.O. The blade is now made from a 420HC high carbon stainless steel. Frost Matrix - "Gerber Mark II Production History Matrix" by Robert Frost originally found at, 200? 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. As is the case with the F-S, the Mark II is a purpose-built combat dagger with excellent penetration and reach. Note the Gerber Mark II worn in an inverted carry, fastened to web gear on his left side. MIA 4/24/1969 in Cambodia. The Mark II was designed by retired US Army Captain Clarence A. The Mainz Gladius was a short dagger that was given to senior officers in the Roman Army and was considered a prestigious status symbol. I am not bound by any written, verbal or implied contract to give this product a good review. That length allows the blade to strike something vital in the torso from almost any angle. The knife was never an issued one per se but became a favorite in Vietnam. A former Army Captain designed the Gerber Mark II. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Spotter Up Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site. A surprising variety of sheaths have been associated with the Mark II. The all-metal grip is made of aluminum. "Bud" Holzman, who served with the 101 . The blade is 6.5 inches long, and contemporary versions of it are made from 420 HC stainless steel. 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. It also comes with a ballistic nylon sheath. Its fully jumpable. A serrated edge is also functionally longer cutting surface, so it will hold up longer without needing to be resharpened. [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. And its just as effective today at taking care of business as it was on the day it was introduced. It is incredibly durable and very well made. Gerber has remade the knife and releases batches at a time. Not all brown ones are Vietnam, but all Vietnam ones are brown, if that makes sense. A Vietnam era knife. Item #BHQ-4289 MSRP: $132.95 Our Price: $89.95 (3) Also no records exist for "S/Ns A3012S-A4010S (Ref. However there are some discrepancies between them. Pre owned but in nice condition Gray Armorhide (cat's tongue) handle. The Mark II is a true classic that belongs in every knife collection. 420HC is a m, The HC stands for high carbon, which means it can be brought to a higher hardness than 420. 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. First Sold in 1966, the Gerber Mk2 Fighting Knife quickly became a very popular private purchase weapon for soldiers stationed in Vietnam. 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/. All Rights Reserved. It was nearly 14 years later in 1981 that a table was compiled by Mr. Doug Hutchens, Survival Knife Historian at Gerber. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ The modern Mark II is a bit dated in design, but the Mark II is also a historic knife worth preserving. The Mark I had a 4.75 inch (12cm) blade and was marketed as a boot knife.[6]. It is a good solid knife, was a carry knife for troops in Vietnam. When you work in conditions with strict logistics, youll take the weight of an aluminum handle over something fragile. A page out of the Vietnam SAIGON POST Newspaper in the early years of the war. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Date or production tables relate Gerber Mark II serial numbers to the years they were manufactured. The impressive little rangefinder worked What Are Coach Guns? 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. The knife also incorporates an aggressive handguard to keep your hand positioned on the handle in a fight. The Mark II has outstanding balance And is lively in the hand. If you examine the photo closely, you can see the sharpening steel on the knife sheath face. Mr. Scratch Posted April 5, 2012. Also see http://taskforceomegainc.org/s139.html for more information and details about his last mission. 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. A380 is one of the most commonly specified alloys for die casting, as it offers the best combination of casting, mechanical, and thermal properties. 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. [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.

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