Question about my Grandpa's Case V-42 stiletto?

[TKW]

Hello all, I was doing some research about my grandfather's V-42 stiletto. They say the first 500 had serial numbers, but mine is 516.  Grandfather was a 1st Lt in the FSSF and was at a bunch of places, including Anzio. Just confused about why mine has a higher number. I have a bunch of other stuff of his (Metals, papers, and medical records), including his Colt 1911, which is also confusing because I know they used a 1911A1, but I can post about that on the other thread. 

 

Any insight on this knife and its high serial number would be great. Not really looking to sell, but if it's okay, I would love to know the value. (If asking about value is not allowed, let me know and I will edit this post.) 

[doyler]

A fantastic family archive. Thanks for sharing

 

As for the numbers I know there has been a lot od study and recall the man who stamped many of these is known. I know its been stated that 500 were done but did it actually stop right at 500?  In the Force there were 3 Regiments with 6 Companies each numbering 1-6 . The question is was the number random or did it follow a system per regiment for accounting? The number being a Company and regiment marking saying 5th Company 1st regiment knife number/soldier roster number 6? just speculation on my part but just wonder if the numbers were random or had a purpose and more examples would have to be examined. Its possible there was also just a little over 500 numbered and no complete list is known. I have a numbered knife from a 2nd Regt member who had two knives one was his one was his best friends knife. I was able to purchase the other but the prior owner decided to split them up and never sold me the second as promised and its now in another collection. I also have an unnumbered example.

 

The story is widely known by Force and knife collectors that the stamping was stopped due to the stamps wearing out and all were hand stamped. Looking at your example, the number looks either miss-stamped or double struck to make the number more visible at the time. 

 

Would love to see the picture of the 45 and being a 1911 is more than correct. Many WW1 era 1911s were in inventory and being issued to the armed forces in WW2. I knew a 2nd Regiment vet who also had his 45 and recall it to be the 1911 not a 1911a1. Probably one of the most well know 1911s is the one oof Major Dick Winters and is displayed in the Gettysburg Museum of History. 

 

Thanks again for posting

[VNAMVET70]

If you go to David Decker's website "Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knives.com/case-v-42" you will see an article on the CASE V42, which states "only the first 500 were serialized."  The website shows a CASE V42 stamped with "U.S." and the serial number 138. 

[doyler]

8 hours ago, VNAMVET70 said:

If you go to David Decker's website "Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knives.com/case-v-42" you will see an article on the CASE V42, which states "only the first 500 were serialized."  The website shows a CASE V42 stamped with "U.S." and the serial number 138. 

 

 

its well-known and cited that "500" were marked but how is this verified? I have visited his page often and never saw a source to verify the 500 number. As we see here this is 516 unless its an error. Will see if I have a good photo of my numbered example 

[doyler]

here is my numbered knife from veteran of  5-2  one of two the vet brought home. Mine is numbered 386. 

 

Met around 40 vets over the years of the FSSF. Have seen around 8-10 V42s in veterans' hands and some are numbered some are not.  I didnt bother to record the numbers at the time nor got photos as the camera phones didn't exist back then. One of the vets here had a V42 with another's name on the scabbard. When I inquired about that he stated when they returned from Norway, they were instructed to turn in their knives on ship and the knives were crated up. When they got state side and debarked from the ship the crate was opened and a knife was handed to them. I dont know if all of the men turned in their knives this was his recollection and he got another's knife when handed back out. 

 

[doyler]

located the photos of a vet I was good friends with. Here you see him with his 1911 he carried and his V42 . Both were with him when part of the assault/ battle on  Monte La Difensa. 

 

 

[VNAMVET70]

doyler, Thank you for sharing this well-documented  Case V42.  Out of curiosity I read about how diffiult the  assault was on Monte La Difensa , lives lost, and brutal weather. The provenance that this V42 dagger comes with is priceless!

[TKW]

Hello Doyler

 

Thank you for the info and the photos.  I think you're right that they may have gone above 500 or a miss stamp. It does look like a double stamp or a stamping error on the 5. I would imagine that the steel was very hard and they looked to be done by hand, not by machine, which sounds tedious.  My grandfather was in the 6th Company, 3rd Regiment, as far as I can tell. I also have his evaluation book, where he kept notes on the men he was with, Marksmen, hand-to-hand, night vision, and stuff like that.  I could try looking up your friend, but I have no idea what the chances are that he would be in there. 

 

Here are some photos of the 1911 and of my Grandpa and two friends. He is the one in the middle.  The 1911 has my great-grandfather's name on it, and the US property stamp has been scratched off. From what I understand, they were supposed to retrieve their gear, and my Grandpa smuggled the gun and the knife out in his cast. Was wondering after Anzio,, somewhere in France.  When I get home from vacation, I will check the papers to see if he was at Monte La Difensa. 

 

Also, thank you, VNAMVET70, for chiming in as well. 

 

 

[otter42]

What a great photo of your grandpa! And great story about how the knife and pistol made it home.  You should write down the story and keep with them, so the history isn't lost. Thanks for sharing,  Ken 

[tim novak]

A buddy of mine who knew the S-4 for the Force claims that this officer was adamant that the stamping was not the first 500.

 

I know firsthand that the number went past 500.

 

Enjoy your family's group.  the items of an officer with the paperwork is very special.  

 

Tim