They were sold under the model #GB5710. The history is that my husband, Dale, was in the Fall 1985 Blade Magazine The rest of the display side of the blade has an engraved combat scene with banners on each side. The knife is a faithful reproduction of the original, the blade being canted and made of the original L6 tool steel and the handle having the "Cat's Tongue" finish. 1) There are 60 un-serialized knives that are simply marked "08CHO" over "GLB". There are 100 of the Limited Edition A. G. Russell knives in the serial number range of Z00001 to Z00100. The method used was to first coat the blade with a "resist", a material that is acid resistant, such as wax. Assuming a steady production rate, a 1 Dec. 1979 knife would have a serial number around 084250. The new logo has the sword positioned vertically, rather than at a slant. BLADE CANT - The early 1967 knife blades are "canted" about 5 degrees. It is unknown how many of the OA1 type knives were made. IMPORTANT: The Presentation knives have their own serial number ranges and the Mark II's serial number and date information does not apply. There are three narrow spacers at each end of the handles between brass and stag. The new serial numbering system started with serial A1001S. The spacer colors are red-white-red. The NEPTUNE is a completely different Gerber dive knife made around the same period. Most handles were carved from whale tooth ivory. Mark II prototypes and salesman's samples were all stamped with a 000000 (six zeros) serial number (See the XKCT knife under Prototypes). It is unknown how many of the YA2 type dive knives were made. For these two examples, the Vertical 1 logo stamping dates the blades to the 1982-1990 period. The cant or bend is toward the serial number side of the blade. If it was a Gerber it could either be a Mark II without serrations (some models were plain edged) or a Guardian II. He Each knife is engraved by a master engraver. They have the Slant 2 logo and the knives can be found with both stamped and etched logos. It is unknown how many of the OA4 type knives were made. The BA6 knives are found on mid 1985 to late 1998 knives in the approximate serial range of D2349S - N4082S. The spacer colors are red-white-red. Undoubtedly there are more knives so marked. This serial number range overlaps the BA6 type knives with the "MARK II™" blade etch. Supervisor, Customer Service The knives have two Gerber product numbers. The BA6 knives are identical to the BA4 knives but have "MARK II™" electro-etched on the blade logo side, on the upper flat of the blade when the knife point is on the left. Approximately 5,000 knives were produced. The handles are cast in two part molds and have a preformed hole for insertion of the blade tang. They have the straight profile blade (no wasp shape) and have two inches of 8-teeth-per-inch serrations in the center of both blade cutting edges. This knife, serial number B2219T is very unusual in that it has 3 features not usually found in a 1983 knife. 09 2009 The knives are found in both the White and Orange-Flip type boxes with either the light-tan P1 type or dark-brown P2 type sheath. They have a handle consisting of a solid brass guard, a short 1-1/4 inch polished wood section and a 5-inch long intricately carved ivory eagle head. Japanese customs found them unacceptable. and a 4-knife, "Gold Leaf Display Mount" with solid brass plaque engraved with the knives' serial number for $139. All brass parts are precision investment castings. In order to make the knife more acceptable, 2 inches of serrations were added on both sides of the central portion of the blade. The BA5 knife is similar to the BA4 with a black handle and straight 8 TPI partially serrated blade but the blade is coated with a baked on smooth, non-reflective black coating similar to Gun-Kote. Banners above and below read "IN HONOR OF THE UNITED STATES MARINES" and "VIETNAM 1961-1973". My only record of OA4 knives are 1974 knives in the serial range of 028766 - 035412. The sheath found with this knife is a FT2 which is correct for this serial number. The blade had a bulbous tip and a square spine down the center on both sides for strength. The "Cat's Tongue" handles on these knives have a brighter appearance in contrast with the usually darker gray handles of the original knives. I suspect that this handle color was under consideration for the change in color from the then Gray color. The GA1 knives are found on late 1968 to early 1972 knives in the approximate serial range of 008696 - 022983. The reverse side is blank. I have records of three blades 001001, 001030 and 001049 stamped in this manner. The GA4 knives have the "wide wasp-waist" blade profile as well as the "fine" serrations of 14 teeth per inch. The griffon (also spelled gryphon, griffin or gryphin) is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle with the addition of prominent ears. I have since learned that these knives were made for the White Stag Mfg. A gold rope, wrapping around the handle at each end, separates the colors. 3) There is also a small unknown number stamped with "08CHO" over "EUNN" where "NN" is a two digit number. Sometime in late 1980 or early 1981 a contract was awarded to Northwest Arts and Crafts of Seattle, WA for "Special Edition Ivory Knives". As the item is sprayed the dry coating particles are attracted to its edges and back side resulting in what is commonly referred to as the "wrap around" effect. Enroll Now, NetLinkEnterprises.com - Replica Weapons, Airsoft, Party Supplies, Toys, Blowguns, Crossbows, Security Products & More.