1971 Gerber Mark II Dive Knife with Leather Sheath

Product Description: A rare and highly collectible variant of Gerber’s renowned combat knife line, this 1971 Gerber Mark II Dive Knife with Leather Sheath features the distinctive yellow Armorhide-coated grip — designed for high visibility in marine environments. The handle remains in beautiful condition, showing only minor transfer marks from contact with the leather sheath.  Blade is beautiful with Gerber logo and 1″ measurements up to 6 etched into blade.  blade contains serrations at narrow tang as shown.  Overall This rig rates in Excellent ++ condition.

The original leather sheath is exceptionally well-preserved and includes both of the factory-issued dual leg straps. The straps exhibit some verdigris near the metal components, and while one strap’s rivets do not fully pass through the leather, they remain firmly and securely affixed.

An uncommon offering, the 1971 Gerber Mark II Dive Knife with Leather Sheath represents a specialized adaptation of the classic Mark II platform — purpose-built for underwater operations yet retaining the aggressive profile and balance that defined the original fighting knife.

Historical Description: Introduced in 1967 during the height of the Vietnam War, the Gerber MKII Fighting Knife quickly became one of the most iconic and widely recognized combat knives of the 20th century. Designed by Army Captain Bud Holzman and manufactured by Gerber Legendary Blades in Portland, Oregon, the MKII was conceived as a modern fighting knife tailored to the needs of U.S. soldiers in Southeast Asia.

The original 1967 production run is especially significant to collectors and historians, as it marked the debut of the MKII’s distinctive features: a 6.5-inch double-edged blade with a 5-degree cant (angled offset), intended to align the knife naturally with the user’s forearm for improved thrusting effectiveness. Early examples also featured the rare CT1 “Cat’s Tongue” textured handle — a gritty, sandpaper-like finish designed to provide grip in wet or muddy conditions — and were paired with RT1 leather sheaths, often secured with throat staples and tie-downs at both ends for versatile carry in the field.

The knife was originally controversial due to its aggressive appearance and dual-edge blade, which led the U.S. military’s Post Exchange (PX) system to temporarily remove it from distribution. However, its reputation among soldiers — particularly Special Forces and MACV-SOG operatives — quickly cemented its status as a trusted combat tool. Many early MKIIs were privately purchased and carried into combat, becoming enduring symbols of the Vietnam War’s unconventional and close-quarters nature.

Early MKII knives are distinguished by their low serial numbers (with some of the first 1,000 highly prized), their canted blades, and their unmarked or lightly marked hilts. Production variations over the years included changes to blade finish, guard shape, handle texture, and sheath design, but the 1967 models remain the most desirable due to their rarity and connection to the war’s earliest years.

Today, the 1967 Gerber MKII Fighting Knife is recognized not only as a functional piece of military gear but as an artifact of American combat history — a symbol of the era’s innovation, craftsmanship, and the personal stories of those who carried it.

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