Case V-42 Stiletto as issued to the joint U.S. and Canadian 1st Special Service Force. This rare combat knife has a blued 7 5/16-inch stiletto blade; blued, pointed "skull crusher" pommel; bright finished oval guard and handle made of finely serrated leather washers. The right side of the blade has an oval, serrated thumb rest. "CASE" is roll-stamped on the right side of the blade between the guard and the thumb rest. The V-42 Stiletto is complete with the original russet leather scabbard. The scabbard has the very distinctive long hanger below the belt loop. The 20-inch russet leather scabbard has two rivets that secure the belt loop. The knife handle is secured by a leather snap loop attached to the scabbard by a steel rivet. Eight steel staples reinforce the scabbard throat. The bottom of the scabbard has a brass tie-down eyelet with the original elk hide tie in place. A total of 3,420 V-42 Stilettos were delivered to the Army between November 1942 and October 1943. Seventy V-42 Stilettos were diverted to the Brooklyn Navy Yard and issued to the light cruiser U.S.S. Omaha. The balance of the V-42 Stilettos were issued to the 1st Special Service Force which saw extensive combat in Italy and France during 1943-44.

Excellent. The blade has been partially refinished and retains more than 95% of the blue finish. The blade has the original edge and has not been re-sharpened. The edge has no nicks, and the blue finish has only traces of age discoloration. The bright guard has not been cleaned or polished. The leather grip is dark and shows light-moderate handling wear with two small breaks in the leather near the pommel. The blue finish on the pommel has aged to a dark patina with light texturing. The scabbard is in very good condition with light to moderate wear. The leather is a medium russet brown with scattered handling marks and stains. The rivets and steel fittings have a dark aged patina. The condition of the stiletto handle and scabbard indicate that the knife saw service, but the condition of the blade indicates it was well cared for and saw very little actual use. This is an excellent example of a rare combat knife issued to a elite and unique Allied unit. The V-42 Stiletto is one of the most attractive and desirable WWII combat knives.