Trying to help a neighbor verify what is believed to be a Vietnam-era Gerber boot knife belonging to his father, who was issued this knife during in that time period either in-country or just before going in.  

I don't have photos so that's a bit of a handicap. It is double edged, with no serrated/sawtooth edge, with a short leather sheath with a snap. I don't have the exact blade length, but about 5". Black sandy/rough finish handle. Bright blade.

Any sources I might go to that would have photos and a verification of whether it is actually what is believed to be the knife/s history?

Thanks for your help.

Might have better luck in the Blades section.

Blades

Without a picture everything is a guess.

Blade Forums

Thanks. That's what I was looking for. Not a knife guy myself.

Similar. Thanks. Taking this to the Blade forum.

I picked up that same knife, with a black coated blade, at the PX, in Panama, back in November of 89.

Too funny, I picked up the same knife at the Ft Stewart PX in 1984. And then proceeded to lose the knife in the deserts of Ft Irwin about 6 months later.

It’s a Gerber Guardian. I doubt it was issued during Vietnam. They weren’t made until the 80’s. As mentioned go to Blade Forum. They have a Gerber section I think. Regardless someone there knows

You could also check Ebay to see what they are selling for.

I have that exact knife, bought it at the BX back in the late 80's. I still manage have  it in the drawer of my workbench. I don't think it was ever an issued item at any time based on the sheath alone.