US Gerber Mark II fighting knife 1976

Gerber produced the Mark II in 1967 in support of our troops in Vietnam; ONLY the early Mark II’s had a canted blade (5 degrees) which was made to keep the knife, when sheathed, close to the body. Black handle Mark II's started around 1977.
Roughly 1000 of the orange handle Mk II "Dive" knives were made (Serial number 0248xx - 0415xx) from 1972 to 1975. Gerber also made a Mark II Yellow Handle Dive Knife (aprox 1972).