Gerber mark 1?

[rb971]

About a year ago I picked up a Gerber boot knife that I believe is a Mark 1. However, the blade length is 4 7/8" and the serial number (050101) appears to be hand stamped as the numbers aren't very even across the blade. Opinions??

 

[KenHash]

deleted.

 

[killgar]

Welcome to Bladeforums rb971.

It sounds like you have an earlier version of the Mark 1 with a blade made out of L6 tool steel. Later versions were made with stainless steel and had an "S" at the end of the serial number to indicate stainless.

All of the older/earlier Mark 1's that I've seen had uneven 6 digit serial numbers.

My understanding is that the earlier Mark 1's had 5" blades, but 1/8th" under isn't much of a difference. If the blade is in it's original condition the lack of that missing last 1/8th" might just be the result of the person who ground or sharpened the blade during production.

 

[sgt1372]

I've got 3 Mark I's and none of them has exactly the same blade length, There were supposed to be at least 2 variants, 4 3/4 & 5. I've got one of each of those and 1 in between.

There isn't a precise serial number-by-date chart for the Mark I as there is with the Mark II but the following link provides somes useful source of information to help date/ID a Mark I: http://knifecollector.net/GerberMKI_Info.html

 

[vjb.knife]

Does it look like this. They were hand ground and had some variation in blade length. Unlike the earlier Mark II knives the characteristics are not well documented. The reference to the knife collector dot net description is about it. I know that I bought one in 1980 with a black handle and black leather sheath with a serial number close to the one in this picture. The first / earliest models made in 1976 had dark Green hadles and dark green leather sheaths. The Mark II knives from 1976 also had dark green leather sheaths. The knife was designed by Al Mar when he worked for Gerber. The Mark I did not start production until nearly 10 year after the Mark II knife. I still have a few NIB models like these.

 

[rb971]

Does it look like this. They were hand ground and had some variation in blade length. Unlike the earlier Mark II knives the characteristics are not well documented. The reference to the knife collector dot net description is about it. I know that I bought one in 1980 with a black handle and black leather sheath with a serial number close to the one in this picture. The first / earliest models made in 1976 had dark Green hadles and dark green leather sheaths. The Mark II knives from 1976 also had dark green leather sheaths. The knife was designed by Al Mar when he worked for Gerber. The Mark I did not start production until nearly 10 year after the Mark II knife. I still have a few NIB models like these.
View attachment 2062907

View attachment 2062908

Does it look like this. They were hand ground and had some variation in blade length. Unlike the earlier Mark II knives the characteristics are not well documented. The reference to the knife collector dot net description is about it. I know that I bought one in 1980 with a black handle and black leather sheath with a serial number close to the one in this picture. The first / earliest models made in 1976 had dark Green hadles and dark green leather sheaths. The Mark II knives from 1976 also had dark green leather sheaths. The knife was designed by Al Mar when he worked for Gerber. The Mark I did not start production until nearly 10 year after the Mark II knife. I still have a few NIB models like these.
View attachment 2062907

View attachment 2062908

Does it look like this. They were hand ground and had some variation in blade length. Unlike the earlier Mark II knives the characteristics are not well documented. The reference to the knife collector dot net description is about it. I know that I bought one in 1980 with a black handle and black leather sheath with a serial number close to the one in this picture. The first / earliest models made in 1976 had dark Green hadles and dark green leather sheaths. The Mark II knives from 1976 also had dark green leather sheaths. The knife was designed by Al Mar when he worked for Gerber. The Mark I did not start production until nearly 10 year after the Mark II knife. I still have a few NIB models like these.
View attachment 2062907

View attachment 2062908

Does it look like this. They were hand ground and had some variation in blade length. Unlike the earlier Mark II knives the characteristics are not well documented. The reference to the knife collector dot net description is about it. I know that I bought one in 1980 with a black handle and black leather sheath with a serial number close to the one in this picture. The first / earliest models made in 1976 had dark Green hadles and dark green leather sheaths. The Mark II knives from 1976 also had dark green leather sheaths. The knife was designed by Al Mar when he worked for Gerber. The Mark I did not start production until nearly 10 year after the Mark II knife. I still have a few NIB models like these.
View attachment 2062907

View attachment 2062908

 

[rb971]

I have some pictures but can't figure out how to post them....can't find a way to get them onto this thread. I'd love some help, lol!

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

You need free image host, something like Google Photos, Imgur, Free Image Sharing, Postimage (google those names)

Let's say you pick Google Photos --- > drag your image from your Computer to the Google Photos Window.
When image uploads, open it. RIght click over the image and from the drop down menu chose "Copy Image Address"
Open up your post here in this forum, top tab, click on the single picture icon.
In the box, pick the right tab, the one with the chain link sign, Put the cursor in the window and paste the link ---> hit Insert.

Your image will be inserted/hotlinked in the Post body.
Repeat for more images.

Hope it doesn't sound complicated, once you do it few times it's easy.
Some sites will give you option to copy the proper link for a forum, so you don't have to right - click on the image.
Hope this will help.