Planning is thinking about a goal and then organizing the activities to achieve the goal. Note the Gerber Mark II worn on a belt on the right hip. 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. Fighting knives are the best knives. Particularly, the Mark II became a favorite with the MACV SOG teams that were the premier special operations unit in Vietnam. Gerber C.A. The Mark II has outstanding balance And is lively in the hand. USAF Vietnam commemorative SOG style knife Murphy Combat Richmond VA . I am not bound by any written, verbal or implied contract to give this product a good review. In 1982 an alpha-numeric system was adopted. When you work in conditions with strict logistics, youll take the weight of an aluminum handle over something fragile. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ 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. 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. Vietnam Era Gerber Mk2 MKII survival knife 1967 004741 First - eBay Recommended Posts. *The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. The handle was designed to be an effective yawara. Member; 174 Location: Eugene OR. At the Reconodo School, an MK II was given to the honor graduate of every class. Gerber Mark Ii Knife - Etsy dedicated to the commandos who carried the MK II with pictures of surviving examples. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ , The all-metal grip is made of aluminum. Hi! 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. A surprising variety of sheaths have been associated with the Mark II. 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. The first sheaths were leather. If you are looking for an all original Vietnam one, you don't have to look at any in a black sheath. The first production run of the Mark II was wasp-waisted and had a five-degree offset between the blade and the grip. Thanks for the heads up, the serial number A5466S is from 1982. Also found at, 199? 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. 1981 Hutchens Table - Mr. Doug Hutchens held several managerial positions at Gerber and was the Survival Knife Historian. The Ka-Bar, the Bowie knife, the Fairbairn-Sykes, and the often forgotten Gerber Mark II Combat Knife are all famed fighting knives. Any vets in the audience have experience with the knife? Bud Holzman, a United States Army captain, designed the weapon, and Gerber produced it from 1966 to 2000. As it had the sharpening steel with it I fell in love with its L-6 blade. It has a 6.5" double serrated spear point blade that is .18" thick. The handle ergonomics of the Mark II are generally considered superior to those of the F-S Fighting Knife. Donda Bernet). Black ballistic nylon sheaths were introduced around 1985. If so, let us know in the comments below. Weight saving was important, and the knife weighs hardly anything. Is it possible it's a gerber command 2? A serrated edge essentially cuts by tearing rather than slicing. Required fields are marked *. The honor graduate knives from the 1969 era are engraved "DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE / MACV RECONDO SCHOOL". Gerber Mark II - Wikipedia 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. Black double guard. Vietnam War Knives for sale - Old Pocket Knives Members of MACV SOG famously loved the knife and many of these commandos carried it into battle. My goal is to provide helpful information about old pocket knives relating to their identification and history. These serial numbers consist of a single leading letter followed by digits from 0000 to 9999 followed by an "S" or "T". Below are some pictures of my Gerber Mk-II combat knife. As is the case with the F-S, the Mark II is a purpose-built combat dagger with excellent penetration and reach. Box 138 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. Read Next: Pikes Manly Gift Picks: Knife Edition 2020. The wasp-waisted blade has a narrower section of steel, akin to how a wasps body narrows at its waist. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Caribou Media Group | All rights reserved. That length allows the blade to strike something vital in the torso from almost any angle. The Mark II also incorporates a dual serrated edge to add to its utility. Yet, the Gerber Mark II is a fighting weapon first and tool secondary. Powered by Invision Community, US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY. 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. Many carried Gerber MK II knives. Item #BHQ-4289 MSRP: $132.95 Our Price: $89.95 (3) View on eBay. View on eBay. A serrated edge is also functionally longer cutting surface, so it will hold up longer without needing to be resharpened. Gerber has remade the knife and releases batches at a time. Gerber Mark II | Military Wiki | Fandom The Mark II was designed by retired US Army Captain Clarence A. 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). GERBER MARK II&trade SITE AUTHOR 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. In Vietnam and Cambodia it never left my side and I loved that knife. I don't believe it is a Vietnam era knife, the serial number doesn't look right. And he designed it not just to be a tool but a weapon. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States. Note the Gerber Mark II worn in an inverted carry, fastened to web gear on his left side. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States. 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 NVA soldier was killed in an ambush in Vietnam's Central Highlands, somewhere west of Buon Ma Thout, in October of 1968 . "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. Well, they are at least the most fascinating knives one can get their hands on. 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. It is made in the USA. 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 design is iconic, and they are still offered today. Kasey, Your email address will not be published. Gerber Mark II | SMKW The handle on the Mark II is 5.25 inches long and has a flattened oval cross-section and tapered palm-swell design. 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. Bud Holzman, who served with the 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles) in the European theatre during WWII. 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. Picture is not detailed enough to determine if possibly the wrist tie was used to insure the knife would not be lost. Hello, On display is my 1968 model CT2 Gerber MKII combat dagger. The Gerber MK II features a 6.5-inch dagger blade. Ep 25 | GWWM John Valentine Combatives, and Deeds of Arms, Where is combatives today. It even comes with a thigh strap to secure and keep it from jumping around. 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. The Mark I had a 4.75 inch (12cm) blade and was marketed as a boot knife.[6]. Al Mar, who was working for Gerber at the time, added two inches of scalloped saw-tooth double serrations toward the hilt. Its a good choice when ease of sharpening and toughness are important. MK II implies the existence of an MK I, and youd be right. I recently discovered that I was wrong about the original designer. One year in one direction or another makes a BIG difference in price. [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. Gerber Mark II knife review - YouTube It comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Also have the MK I as an excellent boot knife. It has black diecast aluminum handles and it includes a black nylon sheath with a belt loop. You have entered an incorrect email address! 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. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. With a plan, you can see how much you have progressed towards your goal and how far on your map to the next destination. MIA 4/24/1969 in Cambodia. (qq) Blades etched in 2 lines on the Gerber logo side: Mark II / 35th Anniversary 1966 - 2001 . NO RESERVE-GERBER"71 MARK II VIETNAM FIGHTING KNIFE 5 DEG CANTED GREY ARMORHIDE . The Mark II has outstanding balance And is lively in the hand. 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 . The other side says "F*** Communism" so I look forward to your comments. Check out Bob Loveless and A.G. Russell knives. 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. I am now retired. Mr. Scratch. Gerber MkII | BladeForums.com Commercial knife makers like 420HC. Aluminum is an unusual choice for a knifes handle, but it works here. FREE shipping Add to Favorites . 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. You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. It also comes with a ballistic nylon sheath. By the 1960s, Gerber decided to manufacture a knife that could be used in combat during the war in Vietnam. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This 40 year-old jewel features a black oxide coated 420 HC double serrated blade and die cast aluminum handle. [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. Unfortunately it's not a vietnam era knife but could have been used post-vietnam by a Soldier/Green Beret? Its made in the USA at Gerbers Portland, Oregon factory. Gerber Mark II Combat Knives - Old Pocket Knives for sale Named 1st CAL 1970 Vietnam War Gerber Mark II Mk 2 Fighting - eBay 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. Manufacturer: Gerber Model: Mark II Length:12.75 in. Share More sharing options. Holzman in 1966. Gerber Mark II Fixed Blade Dagger Knife (6.5" Black Serr) 1874 Prototypes were field tested and evaluated at Fort Lewis, Washington by members of the Armys Fourth Infantry Division. And its just as effective today at taking care of business as it was on the day it was introduced. Date or production tables relate Gerber Mark II serial numbers to the years they were manufactured. The Mark II uses a dagger type design making it less of a slasher and more of a stabber. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ The MK-II was designed by retired Army Captain Bud Holzman, not Al Mar. 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. In Aliens, its the knife of choice of the Colonial Marines, and the Winter Soldier tries to kill Captain America with one. 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. Check out the Gerber Mark II today and see why it was the choice of special operations troops for generations. First Sold in 1966, the Gerber Mk2 Fighting Knife quickly became a very popular private purchase weapon for soldiers stationed in Vietnam. The general rule of thumb was that a six- to seven-inch blade was optimum. 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. With robust designs and vintage classic style, discover the heritage of military timepieces today! Your email address will not be published. Asymmetry in blade design is a show-stopper - this actually being a Command II. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The engraving seems legit. The Mark II design was based on a sketch sent in by Army Captain C. A. It comes with a more modern nylon sheath that will fit on a belt or a MOLLE platform. The Gerber Mark II: A Historic Fighting Knife - BLADE Magazine 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 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. Jesse, oldpocketknives.com, Oldpocketknives.com First introduced in 1966, this tactical knife is serialized for collectors. 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. So, sometime after that date, Charlie's Mark II was purchased by a U.S. soldier and taken to Nam. The blade has a zero-degree cant. GERBER MARK II IN VIETNAM - militarycarryknives.com I have been told he based the "wasp waist" pattern of the double-edge 7-inch blade on . Vietnam Era Gerber Mark II? - EDGED WEAPONS - U.S. Militaria Forum When it comes to military knives, few are as universally beloved as the Gerber Mark II. The MK I was a smaller variant of its predecessor and featured a 4.75-inch blade. As is the case with the F-S, the Mark II is a purpose-built combat dagger with excellent penetration and reach. Its old school cool. eBay. A picture of Terry Bryant, VICTOR PLATOON, U.S. Navy ST1 (SEAL TEAM 1) taken in 1971 in Vietnam. Also see http://taskforceomegainc.org/s139.html for more information and details about his last mission. It utilizes an active retention strap but is quick and easy to draw. I wouldnt hesitate to use the Mark II for hard and heavy work, but Im not often knife-fighting. With robust designs and vintage classic style, discover the heritage of military timepieces today! Geber & Randall - The Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knives Vietnam era vintage Jacques Garcia survival combat knife . 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. The Gerber Mark II has a suggested retail price of $115,00. 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. In addition, the original retaining strap has been replaced with a nylon strap with velcro closure. The MACV Recondo School operated from 1966 to 1971. Both blade and handle have been painted to prevent reflections. A page out of the Vietnam SAIGON POST Newspaper in the early years of the war. Gerber Mark II with after market coating on the 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. | Privacy. View on . 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. Nkumburis, 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 Mark II has a 6.5-inch blade. That is not a Gerber Mark Two it is a Gerber Command 1. There are other serrated tactical knives but no Mark II. / 226.796 g Blade Steel: 420HC Stainless Steel Blade Length: 6.5 in.