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. Due to FSSF's original conception as a cold weather warfare unit, the V-42 was bundled with a signature "long drop" sheath designed to clear the bottom of a military-issue parka while worn on the belt. An included letter from Robert Buerlein, author, president of Historical Associates Ltd. and co-founder of the U.S. Marine Raider Museum, describes this stiletto as his personal property, acquired directly from retired U.S. Army Major General Kenneth G. Wickham. A 1938 West Point graduate, he served as the Executive Officer of the FSSF from January to June of 1944; this time period corresponds to the FSSF's deployment at Anzio, where they engaged in some of their most infamous anti-morale operations against the Germans (incessant night raids, leaving calling cards on enemy corpses and fortifications, and other activities). During the Allied breakout in May and June, the First would be among the first Allied units to enter Rome. Wickham's Army career continued through Vietnam, and included service as Adjutant General of the U.S. Army. This knife, along with its box and wrapping, can be seen on page 113 of Buerlein's book "Allied Military Fighting Knives and the Men Who Made Them Famous", and also on page 143 of the book "Heroes in Our Midst" by Ltc. John Angolia, Ret.; the latter book also relates that Wickham lost his original knife when injured in Italy, and had to request a replacement, hence the condition difference between the stiletto and the scabbard. Buerlein acquired the knife from General Wickham in 1984, partially in trade for a brand new American Historical Foundation commemorative V-42, and in his role as president of the Foundation arranged to have the General's stiletto added to the Foundation's museum. Overall the stiletto is 12 3/8 inches long, with a 7 1/4 inch blade as close to factory new as one will ever see, still retaining a coating of old storage grease. A few light scratches are present on the guard, and a small amount of spotting where the pommel meets the grip, otherwise the hilt is in equally pristine condition. The sheath is the traditional FSSF "long drop" pattern, with a metal protective plate attached to the rear (a popular upgrade). Two modern boxes are included, as is the original plain cardboard shipping box (penciled to then-Colonel Wickham) and was paper wrap, and the 1984 dated shipping wrapped from General Wickham to Buerlein and the Historical Foundation.

The stiletto is excellent, near new as described, with a minimum of handling marks. The sheath shows wear and tear appropriate to combat use in rough conditions, with a number of stains and cracks, as well as significant verdigris buildup around the plate rivets. The original box shows mild wear and tear, including a few areas where the very sharp blade jabbed holes in the cardboard during transit. Quite likely the highest condition military issue V-42 stiletto on the market today, a fantastic example of one of the most distinctive sidearms of World War II with a history that would be quite tough to beat.