GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
RARE WW II V-42 FIGHTING KNIFE ISSUED TO 1ST SPECIAL SERVICE FORCE.This very rare V-42 fighting knife made by Case Cutlery Company were issued to the first joint American Allied Special Services Unit. The 1st Special Service Force (also called The Devil's Brigade, The Black Devils, The Black Devils' Brigade, and Freddie's Freighters) was an elite American-Canadian commando unit in World War II, under the United States Fifth Army. The unit was organized in 1942 and trained at Fort William Henry Harrison near Helena, Montana in the United States. It fought in the Aleutian Islands, Italy, and southern France before being disbanded in December 1944. This knife is in fine condition with blade measuring 7-1/8" retaining most of its blued finish in its correct scabbard. Scabbard has soldier's initials who probably carried knife and the name obliterated above A-23 is almost certainly from The USS OMAHA were issued to crewmen serving on this vessel. There were only 70 of these knives issued to the USS OMAHA. The V-42 was primarily designed by officers of the FSSF, including its commanding officer, Lt. Colonel Robert T. Frederick, who desired a combat knife that could be used to silently eliminate enemy soldiers as well as perform the role of a close-quarters combat knife. The blade's design has been attributed to Col. Frederick, who had encountered the Fairbairn–Sykes commando knife while on duty in England. While the V-42 had a double-edged blade similar to the Fairbairn–Sykes knife, the V-42 has a cross section with concave hollow ground blade facets, compared to the Fairbairn with a flat four sided diamond cross section. The Narrower V-42 stiletto blade profile is designed to optimize penetration when used for thrusting, and the V-42 could easily penetrate a G.I. steel helmet and liner with a single thrust. With its relatively thin, narrow blade, the V-42 was designed from the outset for use as a fighting knife, and was consequently prone to breakage when used for utility chores such as opening ration tins or ammunition crates. Unusual for military combat knives of the period, the V-42's twin edges were double hollow-ground for increased cutting performance. The addition of the skull-crushing pommel was attributed to the input of Major Orval J. Baldwin, the FSSF Supply Officer. The thumb groove on the V-42's ricasso was designed to promote a flat grip with the thumb over the crossguard, which positioned the double-edged blade horizontally. In this manner a soldier could slash an opponent with either a forehand or backhand stroke, while ensuring that his blade would slip between the ribs when used in a thrust or stab. This is a rare WW II fighting knife that is rarely offered. SIZE: CONDITION: Knife is very good to fine overall retaining most of its orig finish though point has been sharpened, losing small portion of tip. Scabbard is sound and solid with minor crazing and scuffing and several small cuts in trimmed areas unaffecting aesthetics. 49622-9 JS (5,000-8,000)