$19.65 United Cutlery LIMITED Banks Edition SOA V42 Stiletto Dagger w/ Sheath on eBay

[Patchcollector]

Happy Saturday all,
While looking around on eBay I found this:

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/270855805333?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

It appears to be a pretty nicely made copy and it's only $19.65 with a sheath.

 

Here are some pics and the sellers' description:

 

United Cutlery SOA V42 Stiletto Dagger w/ Sheath 
BANKS EDITION - SERIALIZED LIMITED EDITION 
Model #: UC2784

 

 

Colonel Aaron Bank, born November 23, 1902 , was an officer of the United States Army, and the founder of the U.S. Army Special Forces, commonly called "Green Berets". He is also famous for his exploits as an OSS officer during World War II, parachuting into France to coordinate and activate the French Resistance and organizing an operation intended to capture Adolf Hitler. Col. Bank is commonly known throughout the armed forces as “The Father Of The Green Berets.” He died on April 1, 2004 in Dana Point, California at the age of 101. The V-42 Stiletto was used extensively in many Special Forces branches as the primary fighting knife.
This historically accurate V-42 stiletto replica features a stacked leather handle like the original, as to be easily handled in cold weather. Each dagger offers a razor-sharp, double-edged stiletto blade that pierces through even tough materials with ease. Thumb notches are cast into the handle above the guard to keep the knife from slipping when wet or wearing gloves. Each piece is laser-serialized and etched with the S.O.A. shield.

It also includes an exact replica of the extended sheath which hung below the soldier's winter parkas.

 

Condition: NEW
 Steel: Stainless
 Handle: Stacked Leather
 Overall Length: 12"

[doyler]

Looks pretty much like the chinese made ones just engraved.

[Patchcollector]

It's probably Chinese made,as are most modern knives nowadays.I can't speak for this one as I have'nt acquired it but I have bought some Chinese made knives lately and I can state that for the most part,the quality,fit and finish are excellent on the ones I purchased.

[1SG_1st_Cav]

That is a nice looking knife! Danny

[doyler]

Wonder how they came up with "Marine Dagger"??? just odd.

[Patchcollector]

Wonder how they came up with "Marine Dagger"??? just odd.

 

Good question.I'm chalking it up to ignorance on the part of whoever named it.

[Patchcollector]

That is a nice looking knife! Danny

 

I agree Danny.Here is another pic I found at the United Cutlery site where the price is posted as 67 bucks.

[Patchcollector]

I found some info on Col. Banks.The man had some brass,and I'm not talking rank!During WW2 he was part of Operation Jedburgh,and he led Operation Iron Cross, where he posed as a Nazi soldier, attempting to capture Hitler and bring him before a war crimes tribunal.He lived to be 101 years old,and was laid to rest in 2004.

 

Here is his write up on the Find a grave website:

United States Army Officer. A Colonel in the United States Army, he was the founder of the elite Green Berets. He was a lifeguard for many years before World War II, but joined the Army in 1939. Because he was nearing 40, he was considered too old for combat, and was assigned as a Captain to the Office of Strategic Services, Special Operations branch. Being fluent in French, he led Operation Jedburgh in 1944, parachuting into France along with two Frenchmen, an officer and a radio operator. They rallied French opposition and liberated several towns. In 1944 and 1945, he led Operation Iron Cross, where he posed as a Nazi soldier, attempting to capture Hitler and bring him before a war crimes tribunal. After the war, he stayed with the Army, and convinced the Army to create a unit with the same duties of the SO division of the disbanded OSS. He hand-picked the first members of the 10th Special Forces unit, subjecting them to harsh training in hand-to-hand combat, guerilla warfare, rock climbing, amphibious warfare, and the use of explosives for demolition. He suggested the unit should wear special berets to distinguish them from other units, but Army regulations would not allow it. President John F. Kennedy gave a special order allowing the berets, choosing the color green. Bank retired from the Army in 1958, and moved to California with his wife, Catherine. He wrote the book "From OSS to Green Berets: the Birth of Special Forces" about his role in creating the Green Berets. In 2002, President George W. Bush gave him a commendation for creating the techniques used to defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan. He died in an assisted living facility in Dana Point, California, at the age of 101. (bio by: Dustin Oliver)

Here's a link to the site:

 

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8609528

[SKIPH]

I know guys who knew him. SKIP

[doyler]

Bank is well known in the Community and was a firm believer,supporter and developer of Special Operations and its Forces.A friend of mine actually met him and interviewed him a couple of times prior to his passing.

[gunbarrel]

Killer deal!

[e19]

The knife is available on Amazon...Col Bank had nothing to do with MACV-SOG, or the SOA so why did the Chinese put their insignia on it? The knife drew very mixed reviews on Amazon.

 

I had the pleasure of chatting with Col Bank and his wife on several occasions. I also talked with LTG Bill Yarborough a number of times, the last was in 2001 ...he was still sharp as a tack.. my wife couldn't believe he was 89

[Patchcollector]

I read the Amazon reviews.The general consensus seemed to be that the knife is "basically for show".No great surprise there . I did'nt think when I posted this that it would be something that anyone would carry into battle.Yes,someone put Marines in the description and maybe Col.Bank was'nt directly involved with MACV-SOG,but being the "father of Special Forces" may qualify him for a mention. Here's my take on it:It is what it is;a neat looking collectors blade for 19 bucks and change.Nothing more and nothing less.

[Horseclover]

Looks like there are a few sellers on Ebay selling them cheaper (if you consider shipping cost). I see a number of other unbranded replicas as well. The UC item is likely discounted due to their ad copy limiting interest.

 

Cheers

 

GC.