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. While the majority went to the 1st SSF, around 70 were diverted to the Navy and were among the armament issued to the light cruiser U.S.S. Omaha. The stiletto measures 12 1/2 inches overall with a 7 1/4 inch double edged needle point blade showing the signature serrated "thumbprint" on the ricasso above "CASE". The alloy guard is fitted with a thick leather finger pad on the underside, a ribbed leather washer grip and distinctive "skull crusher" pommel. The brown leather sheath was shortened from its original long drop configuration to a more traditional style web/belt mount (a typical modification for Navy V-42s), with a set of steel reinforcement plates on either side near the tip, stitched and riveted construction and "H-8" stamped on the front below a struck-out "USS OMAHA" marking.

Good. The blade retains over half the original blue finish, with mild edge wear and areas of heavy spotting, and the pommel has turned a deep brown patina. Over half the black finish is present on the guard, with the leather pad pulling away slightly at the ends and a few light handling marks on the grip. The sheath is fair, with rust on the reinforcement plates, a torn separated retention strap, and some mild scuffs and cracking.