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Gerber Mark I
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goldie
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It's difficult to find good information on the Mark 1, which was made after the Mark 2.
From what I know, the Mark 1 was made from 1976 to 1997. From 1976 to 1981, Gerber used L6 steel.
After that, Gerber switched to 440C, which is what is indicated on your blade's serial number by the letter "S."
From what I know, the Mark 1 was made from 1976 to 1997. From 1976 to 1981, Gerber used L6 steel.
After that, Gerber switched to 440C, which is what is indicated on your blade's serial number by the letter "S."
sgt1372
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I have no proof but I believe that the numbering of the Mark 1 is very close to that of the Mark II and that it is reasonable to assign an approximate date to them based on the Mark II charts, like this one: https://militarycarryknives.com/MKDATETABLE/MkDateTable.htm
Based on this, a good guess is that your Mark 1 was made around 1986. All Mark II were made w/440A steel between 1980-1997, so that's not a determinative factor in dating during that time period.
However, the type of sheath material can contribute to the dating because Gerber didn't start using cordova nylon sheaths until 1987 and, if you've looked at as many Mark 1 & 2's as I have, you'll note that later Mark 1's came w/cordova nylon sheaths too.
So, IMO, if your Mark 1 comes w/a black leather sheath, it was (more likely than not) made circa 1986.
Based on this, a good guess is that your Mark 1 was made around 1986. All Mark II were made w/440A steel between 1980-1997, so that's not a determinative factor in dating during that time period.
However, the type of sheath material can contribute to the dating because Gerber didn't start using cordova nylon sheaths until 1987 and, if you've looked at as many Mark 1 & 2's as I have, you'll note that later Mark 1's came w/cordova nylon sheaths too.
So, IMO, if your Mark 1 comes w/a black leather sheath, it was (more likely than not) made circa 1986.
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I don't think you can use the Mark 2 data for the Mark 1. They were two different knives with their own histories.
This is from Knives Illustrated: https://www.knivesillustrated.com/dagger-review-gerbers-iconic-mark-1-mark-ii/
"The Mark 1 went into production in 1976. It was made in a couple of different configurations over the years and finally discontinued in 1997."
"The Mark 1 is a double-edged dagger, with a blade running 4.75 to 5 inches in length, depending upon the year of production, and an overall length of about 9 inches. From 1976 to 1981, the blade was L6 high carbon steel, just like the Mark II. At that point, the company moved to using 440C stainless steel."
This is from Knives Illustrated: https://www.knivesillustrated.com/dagger-review-gerbers-iconic-mark-1-mark-ii/
"The Mark 1 went into production in 1976. It was made in a couple of different configurations over the years and finally discontinued in 1997."
"The Mark 1 is a double-edged dagger, with a blade running 4.75 to 5 inches in length, depending upon the year of production, and an overall length of about 9 inches. From 1976 to 1981, the blade was L6 high carbon steel, just like the Mark II. At that point, the company moved to using 440C stainless steel."
Very lucky, well done
sgt1372
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The "histories" of the Mark 1 & 2 are not that different
They were made over comparable time periods and it's reasonble to assume that Gerber made changes in materials at similar points at similar points in time, simply as a matter of efficiency.
The similarities in their numbering also suggests that using the Mark 2 data (while not definitive) is a reasonable means of "estimating" the "born on" date of Mark 1's as well.
If you don't choose to do that, that's your choice but, in absence of any other data, how else would you make such an estimate?
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I'm not an authority. But Jim Cobb's extensive review in Knives Illustrated is the most credible information that I could find on the Mark I.
Here's another source that says the OP's knife would have used 440C: https://www.militarycarryknives.com/MKSIMILARKNIVES/MkSimilarKnives.htm
Mark I Knife - Model# 5601
The Mark I began its manufacture in 1976 and was designed with a shorter blade for those who wanted a smaller double edged knife.
In production from 1976 - 1997
Double-Edged blade
1976-1981 Composition comprised of Special Alloy Tool Steel (L6)
1981-1997 Composition comprised of 440C Stainless Steel
1976-1980 Blade length: 5"
1981-1997 Blade length: 4 3/4"
1979-1983 Presentation Mark I (Model# 5611)
??? - ??? Tactical Mark I (Model# 5610) (Double Serrations)
Overall length: 9"
Rc 58
Blackened blade offered in 1984 (Model# 5604)
Presentation model w/ wood handle (Model# 5611)
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sgt1372
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Thanks for the additional info but I don't think that anything you mentioned above disputes the use of the Mark 2 production date to "estimate" the date of a Mark 1 or suggests any other way to do so.
For those who haven't seen/read it yet, here's a link to Bob Cobb's article also mentioned above: https://www.knivesillustrated.com/dagger-review-gerbers-iconic-mark-1-mark-ii/
polish avenger
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When MKI production started, 44000 MKII models had already been made in the previous 10 years. That can't be the basis of an estimation, especially if we don't know how many MKIs were made in each year of production.
Sheaths, cordura or leather, can be interchanged easily enough to be discounted for dating purposes as well.
Sheaths, cordura or leather, can be interchanged easily enough to be discounted for dating purposes as well.
Perhaps they had excess stock when in 1986 Fiskars acquired Gerber, but the black-bladed Mk I I have has the Fiskars Company name of the paperwork.
Nice Gerber Mark disussion here! Hombre - I hope you got your awsome Mark 1 now. It would be great to see some pictures of it.
Below are a picture of some of my Mark 1. Im not very good at writing in English, so excuse my spelling
Here is what I have notised reguarding Mark 1. The model was manufactured between 1976-1997 (+anniversary model 2011). For the modell Mark 2 there are production chart on line to show what year one knife was made (w some exceptions). But for Mark 1 all records were lost along the way in the Gerber factory development. As mentioned above there are some clues to go on if one want to pinpoint the correct year (or period) of manufacture for the Mark 1. For example:
1976-77 the handle colour was olive (not black). It came w a brown leather sheath w lighter stitching.
The Gerber logo differs, Slant sword to vertical sword and the serial number was supplemented with an initial letter in year 1983, starting w letter A. The G in the Gerber logo looks more like a C and the rockformation is different from year 1990.
Leather sheath was replaced w nylon sheath in late 1980.
If original box is still around it will also give you a clue. There are som information reguarding different blade lenght and handle shape and surface structure between years, but I dont think its a safe character to base on. Google is your friend and you can find out alot just by looking at pictures of different Mark 1 ads, especially when knife is sold w the original box.
As a comment to Hombres question. I think you have a Mark 1 from the early 1990-ties. A Mark 1 w serial number that starts w letter F probably came w a nylon sheath, the leather sheat is a swap from a older knife.
Below are a picture of some of my Mark 1. Im not very good at writing in English, so excuse my spelling
Here is what I have notised reguarding Mark 1. The model was manufactured between 1976-1997 (+anniversary model 2011). For the modell Mark 2 there are production chart on line to show what year one knife was made (w some exceptions). But for Mark 1 all records were lost along the way in the Gerber factory development. As mentioned above there are some clues to go on if one want to pinpoint the correct year (or period) of manufacture for the Mark 1. For example:1976-77 the handle colour was olive (not black). It came w a brown leather sheath w lighter stitching.
The Gerber logo differs, Slant sword to vertical sword and the serial number was supplemented with an initial letter in year 1983, starting w letter A. The G in the Gerber logo looks more like a C and the rockformation is different from year 1990.
Leather sheath was replaced w nylon sheath in late 1980.
If original box is still around it will also give you a clue. There are som information reguarding different blade lenght and handle shape and surface structure between years, but I dont think its a safe character to base on. Google is your friend and you can find out alot just by looking at pictures of different Mark 1 ads, especially when knife is sold w the original box.
As a comment to Hombres question. I think you have a Mark 1 from the early 1990-ties. A Mark 1 w serial number that starts w letter F probably came w a nylon sheath, the leather sheat is a swap from a older knife.
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Nice summation, thank you!
To add just one more detail, I notice that the shape of the sword in the logo also changed over the years and became progressively less detailed.
There was also the Command I which is very similar in size and shape, but has a different blade grind. (Shown in the link in post #10 above.)
The Command I & II are very nice! I have a couple of them too.
Soooo......do you like Gerber daggers?
That's an impressive collection you have. I've loved daggers since an early age, but since they're not the most practical to carry around, my collection is rather small. Only one Mark II and the black Mark I above from Gerber, and maybe five or six from other brands. Oh, and the dagger's bigger brother, a Böker Smatchet (no thread is complete without the mention of the Smatchet).
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Nice Gerbers! Why no little guardian?
Great that you have a Mark I and II. No, they are not very practical and illigal to carry (in serveral part of the civilisation). But they look so nice in the collection. The Gerber daggers are truly my favorit knifes. I will look into the Smatchet modell. A real beast if I remember correct. Merry Cristmas!Soooo......do you like Gerber daggers?
That's an impressive collection you have. I've loved daggers since an early age, but since they're not the most practical to carry around, my collection is rather small. Only one Mark II and the black Mark I above from Gerber, and maybe five or six from other brands. Oh, and the dagger's bigger brother, a Böker Smatchet (no thread is complete without the mention of the Smatchet).