A descendant of the Fairbairn-Sykes combat knife, the V-42 Stiletto was designed with input from members of the First Special Service Force, the joint American/Canadian arctic and mountain warfare unit that is considered one of the forefathers of modern American Special Forces. The majority went to the 1st SSF, but around 70 were diverted to the Navy and among the armament issued to the light cruiser U.S.S. Omaha. The stiletto measures 12 3/8 inches overall with a 7 3/8 inch double edged hollow ground blade showing the signature serrated "thumbprint" on the ricasso above "CASE". The alloy guard is fitted with a thick leather finger pad on the underside with a ribbed leather washer grip and distinctive "skull crusher" pommel. The brown leather sheath is in the original SSF-style "long drop" configuration, with staple and rivet reinforcement.

Good. The blade has 20% blue with the balance mostly pitted, with some nicks along the edges, and the hilt shows a few breaks in the washers, a polished guard and a mixed patina. The sheath is fair, with staining and tearing of the leather. If this knife could talk what a story it could tell!