Hello from new member - V42

[dcollector]

Hi new member here, nice to meet you all.

I collect WW2 fighting knives and firearms.
My handle is Pitfighter on a bunch of other collecting sites, this site would not allow that name, and so for the first time in fifteen years I have a different name online, lol.

One of my latest pieces, I had been looking for a nice V42 dagger for some time.
I collect British fighting Knives, and the history, design + designers and conflicts have a spill over into US WW2 knife design and commando missions.

This one was issued, used, abused and has been re-tipped and worn, but the provenance makes it somewhat interesting.

This dagger came with the Force Man's discharge papers (shown), some photographs (shown), and his Spearhead shoulder patch.
The other props are from my collection, I admit I got as little carried away.

The Kiska patch is appropriate as he was in the Aleutian action.
The 474th patch is also appropriate as he continued to serve after the FSSF officially disbanded. The 474th (Vikings) was where some US service men transferred.

The small folder, is an Ulster "US" marked issue ski knife. The 10th Mountain Division were issued these, and the FSSF shared almost all of their cold weather gear. The Ulster folder has a Phillips head driver - quite rare in WW2, but used to tighten and loosen the ski-shoe.


The 21 grooves in the thumb print were made by the same machine that carved the leather handle.


Kiska Action patch on left. FSSF spearhead and 474th Viking ship.


The little Ulster 10th Mountain Division knife.


Many period images show the FSSF carrying 3X Thompson mags in 2X canvas - a practical if not very protective way to get access to them quickly.


Rear reinforcement plate.




The Forceman's discharge papers, didn't necessarily affect the price of the knife, as with all antiques, you buy the knife not the story, but they are traceable and verifiable.


The owner wearing his spearhead armpatch - like Brad Pitt in Inglorious Basterds.




On an original M1 - the simplified version of the M1928 - but not as simplified as the M1A1 -


The lovely little brother to the V42. The Ulster Ski folder.


Some appropriate props and the FSSF dagger.
A WW2 German map of the Spanish French border.
WW2 German infantry binoculars.
RIA .45acp, French military papers. Grenades and hi-x are inert.
M1 helmet.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Nice kit. I had an M1 also some time back. Still had the floating firing pin bolt as well... Nice V42. I've seen a couple hereabouts for sale but most recently a "Nichols" knife has come up...I can't afford those sort of collectable though.

[dcollector]

Thank you, you are correct this is an M1 (not the updated M1A1) - but unfortunately, it has the M1A1 bolt in it, with the fixed firing pin.
I keep meaning to swap out for an original M1 bolt, as the ROF is supposed to increase and that might be fun, it would also be more original.

I am circling a second V42 - in much better condition than this one, but, with no provenance. But Covid is forcing me to be a little more financially responsible than I'd like.

Yes, the Nichols knives are crazy money and honestly they're a little too funky looking for me. Like a flamboyant musketeer knife.

I bought a lot in Vancouver BC, swords and paintings mainly if I recall, and the Canadagunnutz classifieds used up all my expenses money, lol.

Great country, love it up there, bet you're starting to get cold now though!

This photo was taken at a work stop in BC.


And this was another stop, not work related, at the BC Regiment museum.

[browningautorifle]

Good to see you, I know the museum you speak of at the Beatty street armory I think. Two tanks live out front... What are FG 42s worth now? 250,000? So few around it's hard to say. I'm just across the straits on Vancouver Island...

[dcollector]

Yes, that is the museum.
I was particularly interested in the fight the regiment had with Fallschirmjager in Normandy, they collected quite a few interesting items that now show in their little museum.

An original C&R FG42 that is on the NFA list as a transferable machine-gun did top $250K
But it's status and transferability were a factor in the price.

An FG42 that cannot be legally transferred to an individual and resides in Canada is a different ball of wax.

The Bapty G-type which I inspected and was an Old-Spec British Deac sold for 60K I believe - (this was on forgotten Weapons)
The E-type in Malta was 75K - live firing.
A complete E-type parts kit recently sold for $45K here in the US.