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The V-42 stiletto was a stiletto and fighting knife issued during World War II to the First Special Service Force (1st SSF, aka Devil's Brigade), a joint Canadian/American commando unit. ==Design and features== Based on the Fairbairn–Sykes commando knife designed by William E. Fairbairn and Eric A. Sykes, the ''Fighting Commando Knife, Type V-42'' used a narrow-profile, double-edged stiletto blade made of high carbon steel.〔Buerlein, Robert (2002), ''Allied Military Fighting Knives And The Men Who Made Them Famous'', Paladin Press, ISBN 1-58160-290-1, pp. 93-103〕 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.〔〔Johnson, Danny M., (2002), ''Knife, Fighting, Commando Type, V-42: The Original Special Forces Knife'', U.S. Army History Center, Army Historical Foundation〕 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 Forceman 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.〔〔 The V-42 was manufactured in the United States by Case.〔Walker(1993) p.30〕 After a series of leg injuries incurred during training, the original leather sheath was reinforced in later versions with a metal tip designed to prevent the needle-like tip from penetrating the sheath.〔〔 Since the force was originally trained for fighting in cold weather conditions, the sheath was designed long, so as to hang beneath the bottom of a G.I. parka. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「V-42 stiletto」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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