{"product_id":"original-u-s-post-vietnam-war-era-gerber-guardian-ii-combat-knife-by-r-w-loveless-in-sheath-interesting-rune-handle-inscriptions","title":"Original U.S. Post-Vietnam War Era Gerber Guardian II Combat Knife by R.W. Loveless in Sheath - Interesting Rune Handle Inscriptions","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is a very interesting original\u003cstrong\u003e Gerber Guardian II \u003c\/strong\u003efixed-blade combat knife designed by noted knifemaker \u003cstrong\u003eR.W. Loveless, \u003c\/strong\u003ecomplete with its original sheath. The Guardian series was produced as a lightweight double-edged dagger pattern, and this example is especially unusual for the unidentified symbolic inscriptions applied to both sides of the handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe knife sports a 6 ¾” double-edged dagger blade and is stamped at the ricasso:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(LOGO)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGERBER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePORTLAND, ORE., U.S.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd on the other side with serial number\u003cstrong\u003e A6909S\u003c\/strong\u003e. Collector information associates the “S” suffix found on Gerber serial numbers of this period with stainless-steel blades, though the serial number itself does not presently allow us to establish an exact year of manufacture. The blade is etched \u003cstrong\u003eDESIGN BY \/ R.W. LOVELESS. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe very tip of the blade is broken off, but it is not very noticeable. The side of the grip is stamped:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGUARDIAN II PAT. PEND.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth sides of the grip are inscribed with what appear to be Runes or some sort of cult-like language, done in marker, a good research project. The overall length is 11 ⅝”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sheath is in great shape with the leg tie down still intact. There is also a thong at the top of the belt loop. The securing snap works well, and the GERBER company info is still intact on the belt loop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of the \u003cstrong\u003eGerber Portland markings, A6909S serial number, R.W. Loveless design attribution, PAT. PEND. Guardian II marking, original sheath and suspension components, and unusual hand-applied symbolic inscriptions \u003c\/strong\u003emakes this an especially interesting example of the Guardian II. The broken blade tip is the principal condition issue, while the unidentified handle markings give the knife a distinctive personal history that remains open to further research.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDimensions:\u003cbr\u003eBlade length: 6 3\/4”\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Spear Point Knife with Serrated Area\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 11 5\/8”\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 2”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard length: 8\" with belt loop - 13 1\/2\" overall\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46137167675461,"sku":"ONJROCPC057","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/57C82FE0-852C-4A22-AF80-FD7E42336FB0.jpg?v=1793050815","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-post-vietnam-war-era-gerber-guardian-ii-combat-knife-by-r-w-loveless-in-sheath-interesting-rune-handle-inscriptions","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}