Gerber Magnum

[Thatguyupnorth]

My latest acquisition. Having a little trouble dating it since it seems markings on the handle changed through the years.
The information I got about Magnums in general came from here.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/vin ... um.935950/
I think mine would be one of the earlier ones?

[Gunsil]

Your nice knife has a chrome plated handle. The early versions did not and had plain unplated aluminum.

[Case V42]

Gerber's first fixed blade hunter was a knife quite similar to yours, except having a clip blade, which was made for Abercrombie & Fitch beginning in 1947. That knife was discontinued in 1953, and Gerber did not produce a similar knife for a few years. When the "new" model was introduced it sported the same Lamb designed handle, but the straight blade as your knife has. The first of those knives were named the "Big Hunter", but the knife was renamed "Magnum" in 1965 or 66, and the "Big Hunter" name moved on to a carver handled model. The A&F knives handles were unplated, but all Magnum knives have chrome (or later) handles. The model experienced another name change along the way to "Magnum Hunter". I have examples with no name (only GERBER on the bottom of the handle) with "Steel Grip" handle made 1966-1968, "Armorhide" handle marked "Magnum" (not "Magnum Hunter") and chrome handled knives with either of the aforementioned names. According to Levine's #4, the name was changed to "Magnum Hunter" after 1970.

So, in light of all the marketing changes Gerber made, when was your knife made? Since it is marked "Magnum" and has chrome plated handle, it must have been produced between 1966 and 1970.

[Madmarco]

Very nice TGUN, I've never seen one before this! Looks like it would be very comfortable to grip!

[WillyCamaro]

That's a really nice un', thanks for sharing .