Designed by a committee of experienced men led by then-Colonel Robert Frederick, the 1st Special Service Force's commanding officer, the dagger that would become the V-42 Stiletto (or "Force Knife" to its users) was intended to represent the state of the art in close quarters battle. Almost entirely issued to the SSF, a limited run of 70 ended up in U.S. Navy hands, which in turn were issued to the U.S.S. Omaha to arm the boarding crew. This boarding crew would be the last U.S.N. sailors to be paid out prize money for capturing an enemy vessel, having seized the German blockade runner Odenwald. The stiletto measures 12 1/2 inches overall, with a 7 3/8 inch double edged hollow-ground blade, bearing the serrated thumb rest and "CASE" marking on the ricasso. A coat of heavy, midnight blue enamel paint has been applied to the blade and guard. The hilt is fitted with a grooved leather washer grip, padded guard, and skull crusher pommel. Includes a short "raider" pattern sheath, with "3 [sideways 1] 61" marked on the side, and reinforcement plates in the tip region. A copy of the book Military Knives: A Reference Book (a collection of articles from Knife World Magazine, assorted authors) is included.