WW II V-42 Stiletto

Description

For Auction:
V-42 Stiletto “USS Omaha” with Raider style short sheath.
According to Frank Trzaska, a noted authority on military edged weapons of WW II, of the 3,423 V-42’s that were received by the U.S. Sevices, 70 were purchased by the U.S. Navy
and were delivered to the Brooklyn N.Y. Navy Depot in February 1943.
The remainder were for the First Special Service Force and were delivered in four separate lots
between November 1942 and November 1943.
The 70 knives that were delivered to the U.S.Navy, were shipped in the Raider style short sheath and marked
”U.S.S. Omaha”and serial numbered. These knives were issued to members of the “Ships Landing Forces” off the coast of Florida sometime in 1943. Later in the war the “U.S.S. Omaha” was defaced in order to prevent identification if they fell into enemy hands. Later in 1945, for some unknown reason, they were ordered thrown in the Philadelphia Harbor. There are examples that are known to survive, despite this order. This exact knife is pictured in “Heroes in Our Midst” volume 4, by John Angolia, Ltcol.,USA, ret. on page151. Another  example can be seen in “Knives of the United States Military WWII” by Michael W. Silvey on page 103.
Excellent condition. Appears to be unsharpened after issue. Photos demonstrate adequately the condition of this knife.