GERBER MKII value ???

[A. G. Russell]

These knives, of this period, will bring a great deal of money in used condition and a lot more, IF they have documentation. A letter from the owner who carried it in SE Asia. Blood & guts stories are not needed, just proof that it was carried in Vietnam.

 

[Sidehill Gouger]

SIFU1A,
I was going to say "I might pay that much if you proved it was Mad Dog Shriver's MK-II and found it buried up the hilt in an NVA's skeleton over in Cambodia."

A serial number of 3062 means there were 3061 knives made before it. That is a lot of knives on the collector market.

 

[vjb.knife]

SIFU1A,
I was going to say "I might pay that much if you proved it was Mad Dog Shriver's MK-II and found it buried up the hilt in an NVA's skeleton over in Cambodia."

A serial number of 3062 means there were 3061 knives made before it. That is a lot of knives on the collector market.

I am sorry but even with VN documentation I would not pay that for one that is this messed up. If they had just left the handle alone I would agree even with the rusty blade but then there is the missing sheath. I have seen 1967 vintage sheaths alone sell for $500.

And actually there were only 2061 ahead of it as they started with serial number 001001. That is not a lot of knives on the market becuase many were lost in VN and many are stuck in collections and museums that will never leave them. If you think that is a lot go find a few for sale. Forty one years is a long time.

 

[Sidehill Gouger]

OK, 2000+. That is still a lot of knives on the collector market. A fairly large percentage of those MK-II's survived because they were never used that much. I sold all my premium MK-II's to an Oregon collector Bernard knows well over a decade ago but I once hunted them as hard as anyone out there.

 

[omaha-beenglockin]

Sounds like the original owner should have used it to pay the rent.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Just my two cents, I have heard that cleaning up old knives is a big no-no. Unless you want to keep it for your collection, or are actually going to use it (guessing that can't be an option here ), I would leave it alone.

 

[Sidehill Gouger]

Maybe if this was serious antique but there comes a point in modern military type knives where is really doesn't matter much anymore. Everyone knows what it is and there is about zero original finish left.

 

[brad2008]

well whatever i decide to do with this knife the one thing that im gratefull for is the fact the i found it an along with it found a new hobby ......i just got bit by the knife collecting bug

 

[Bastid]

Brutus,

Thank you for turning this thread around.
Brad,
Welcome to BFC.

 

[44Magpie]

Why do posts like these about oddball knives always show up right after a major knife magazine does a story on one?

 

[SIFU1A]

Just my two cents, I have heard that cleaning up old knives is a big no-no. Unless you want to keep it for your collection, or are actually going to use it (guessing that can't be an option here ), I would leave it alone.

usually i would agree with ya but in this case the condition was already so bad imho cleaning it up could only help,

good question 44magpie, i know i pulled mine outta the safe & played with it after reading the article, the 1st time in a while.

 

[SIFU1A]

SIFU1A,
I was going to say "I might pay that much if you proved it was Mad Dog Shriver's MK-II and found it buried up the hilt in an NVA's skeleton over in Cambodia."

A serial number of 3062 means there were 3061 knives made before it. That is a lot of knives on the collector market.

lol, yeah thats a possiblity too i suppose...........

hey, i carried mine when i was in the army in kentucky & el paso does that count for anything lol, & it was '74 thats almost VN era................????????

i could provide documentation too lol.

and handle is intact and sheath included if anyones interested..???

 

[vjb.knife]

lol, yeah thats a possiblity too i suppose...........

hey, i carried mine when i was in the army in kentucky & el paso does that count for anything lol, & it was '74 thats almost VN era................????????

i could provide documentation too lol.

and handle is intact and sheath included if anyones interested..???

1974 is the VN era, It is from 1965 to 1975. Show me pictures and I will let you know, but the Kentuky and El Paso service is not going to help much. Serial number and a couple of decent pictures including sheath please.

 

[SIFU1A]

here ya go.................

 

[SIFU1A]

& a couple more w/the serial #..........

 

[jonnymac44]

Very nice knife SIFU1A:thumbup:

I have a 1979 Mark II, the last year they used the hand ground L6 tool steel. Sheath and lanyards are in near perfect condition. The blade has a slight patina but is in overall great shape for it's age, and the handle finish is really good. I hadn't thought about it in quite some time until I noticed this thread.

Interesting stuff:thumbup:

Jon

 

[SIFU1A]

thanks jonnymac.

when i bought the thing in '71 or so i remember they had another MK11 which had a pouch on the sheath for a stone & a stone, always wished i hadda gotten that one vs mine but i couldnt afford the difference in the 2, IIRC it was $4 or $5 lol, but hey it was almost $50, and that was a lot of $$ in those days.

times change..........

 

[jonnymac44]

LOL, how could you have known in '71 the difference those four dollars could made Still, a very nice piece.

It was really late last night when I posted and I didn't feel like messing with the camera, but here's a pic of my '79.

Jon

 

[SIFU1A]

thats a nice one too, i have a MK1 and a guardian from that era also with the black handles and sheaths.

did yours come with a lanyard in the handle?

IIRC mine came with a leather lanyard on the bottom of the sheath, but nothing in the handle?

but its been a while lol.