- V-42 Stiletto
The V-42 Stiletto was a
stiletto issued duringWorld War II to theDevil's Brigade commando s.History
In his book "Allied Military Fighting Knives: And The Men Who Made Them Famous", author Robert Buerlein states the following:cquote2|The nomenclature on this quartermaster form would lead us to believe that the proper name of this knife is the "Fighting Commando Knife, Type V-42" or converting U.S. Army nomenclature into "English", "V-42 Commando Fighting Knife". Although this may be the proper name, somewhere along the way the knife started being referred to as the "V-42 Stiletto" and this what it is called today, correctly or incorrectly. Possibly the "42" stood for 1942, the year of the design and the "V" for "Victory".|Robert Buerlein [(Buerlein. 2002.p 101)]
The V-42 was designed in part by the commanding officer of the brigade, Lt. Colonel Robert T. Frederick. Every part of the knife was made with the intent of
combat . This knife was the trademark weapon of the Devil's Brigade, and its members were trained extensively in the use of this knife. The profile of this knife is the one pictured on the crest of theUS Army Special Forces .cite web
last = Johnson
first = Danny M.
title = Knife, Fighting, Commando Type, V-42: The Original Special Forces Knife
work = Army History Research
url = http://www.armyhistory.org/armyhistorical.aspx?pgID=868&id=387&exCompID=32
accessdate = 02/07/2008] The V-42 was originally manufactured in theUnited States byW. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. . The original leather sheath was reinforced by the troops to include a metal tip, so that the sharp blade would no longer penetrate through and cut their legs. It was worn low on the leg, for easier access. After use in the field against the Germans, unit members purposely dulled the tip of these knives to minimize its habit of embedding into bone and becoming difficult to withdraw.pecifications
The V-42 weighs seven
ounce s, with a seveninch blade and five and one-half inch handle, with a total length of twelve and a half inches. Its features include a sharpblade , sturdyhandle with a skull-crackingbutt . [ [http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/v42.htm US Military Knives - V42] ]Reproductions
A replica version, based upon the original, is now being made by swordsmith
Paul Chen and sold throughHanwei . [ [http://www.hanweishop.com/proddetail.php?prod=KH2124 Hanwei - V42] ] A custom hand-made version made ofCPM S30V steel and stackedleather washers with atitanium pommel is offered byStrider Knives ofSan Marcos, California . [ [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_173_29/ai_n7578410 "Evolving edges: Strider knives get better and badder!"] , Pat Covert, American Handgunner Magazine, January-February 2005]Smith Tactical Systems offers an updated version of the V-42, including a thicker blade andkydex sheath. [ [http://www.smithtac.com/Knives.html Smith Tactical - V-42] ] Previous reproductions include one byW. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. manufactured in the1980s and discontinued in1993 .ee also
*
Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife
*U.S. Marine Raider Stiletto
*List of daggers References
Further reading
*Buerlein, Robert. (2002). "Allied Military Fighting Knives: And The Men Who Made Them Famous". Paladin Press. ISBN 1581602901
*Flook, Ron. (1999). "British and Commonwealth Military Knives". Howell Press Inc. ISBN 1574270923
*Walker, Greg. (1993). "Battle Blades: A Professional's Guide To Combat/Fighting Knives". Paladin Press. ISBN 0873647327External links
* [http://www.gutterfighting.org/v42.html Gutter Fighting - V-42]
* [http://www.armyhistory.org/armyhistorical.aspx?pgID=868&id=387&exCompID=32 armyhistory.org]
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