Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition Mid-war production HJ Fahrtenmesser (HJ Trip Knife), marked on the blade with both the trademark logo and RZM code of desirable maker Tigerwerk Lauterjung & Co. of Solingen. This is definitely a transitional period knife, with characteristics of both the early and later pattern. This HJ Knife is a solid example of the type, with a handle that is nickel-plated over a steel base. Almost all of the plating remains, over 95%, with just some slight bubbling and patination on the pommel. There is also a bit missing from when the grips were installed and fitted.

Unlike the early pattern knives, these have a thicker blade with a raised ricasso, which significantly strengthened the blade. However, acid-etched motto Blut und Ehre! (Blood and Honor!) is present and legible, with the original dark frosting still well retained, something we almost never see! Usually these later pattern knives did not have the motto, so this was made during the change over during the 1936-37 period.

The Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in excellent condition, retained by nickel-plated rivets with dressed obverse heads. The HJ insignia is very good condition, though there is some cracking and loss of enamel on one of the red panels near the corner. The plating on the brass has worn off, which is typical, leaving a lovely mustard patina. The bakelite shrinks slightly over the years, which is why the logo is a bit sunken in and loose, confirming the authenticity. The grips themselves are also a bit loose.

The blade of this example is in very good condition, with the strengthened ricasso, and still retains the original factory final polish grind crossgrain throughout both sides! This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. It is very rare to see this on a HJ Knife, which does not look, to have seen much use at all, with all the wear coming from storage and oxidation. There has been some staining and surface oxidation on the motto side from contact with the scabbard runner, which we have left intact to preserve the history of the blade.

The reverse of the blade marked with the "Left Facing Tiger" trademark of the Lauterjung & Co. firm, and to the right of the trademark is:

Lauterjung & Co., Tiger Stahlwaren- und Waffenfabrik is a famous manufacturer in Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in Western Germany. Their trademark was a Tiger, and their factory was thus often referred to as Tigerwerk (Tiger Works). The firm was founded in 1873 to make knives, scissors, and other steel ware, and survived until after the war. There were several different branches of the Lauterjung family involved in edged weapons, operating under different trade names to avoid confusion. For more information please see GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter.

On the blade ricasso is the additional marking (RZM) M7/68, right above the intact leather blade buffer. The Reichszeugmeisterei, or RZM, was was based at the Brown house in Munich and NSDAP party headquarters in Berlin. The RZM ensured that the manufacturers of military items were consistent in design, quality of materials and other characteristics of the items. It also defined standards of design, manufacturing and quality and published an authoritative color chart for textiles. The M7 in the code stands for knives/daggers, contractor 68 stands for firm Tigerwerk Lauterjung & Co., a maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany. 

The scabbard shell the typical tapered example, steel with black enamel paint, which is still retained at about 40% overall, with the rest having worn or flaked away over the decades. What remains shows crazing and checking from age, and where it has flaked away, the shell now shows a gray oxidized patina. There are no real dents we can see, so we assume this is mostly from age. The leather belt loop and hanger show a lot of dry rot, and are in relic condition.

A wonderful HJ Knife from the transitional period, made by a desirable Solingen Maker! Ready to add to your collection and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 5 1/2"
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife
Overall length: 9 5/8”
Crossguard: 1 7/8”
Scabbard Length: 5 7/8” with belt loop

AH believed German youth to be the future of his 3rd Reich. The HJ (AH Jugend) was formed officially in 1935, and with the exception of NSDAP ideology indoctrination was very similar to the Boy Scouts. Beginning at about the age of ten years, both boys (AH Jugend) and girls (Bund Deutscher Mädel) were enlisted in the Party-run organization. The boys only were given HJ Knives after having passed minor exams. The knives had nickeled hilts with black checkered grip plates. The obverse plate was fitted with an enameled HJ swas insignia. Through 1937, these knives were etched with the motto of the organization, Blut und Ehre! (Blood and Honor!). Examples produced after this date were made with plain blades usually bearing an RZM marking.

The HJ Leaders were professionals in charge of the training and NSDAP education of the German Youth. They wore a special dagger consisting of silvered hilt fittings with blue-black leather-covered scabbard. The grip was composed of tightly wrapped silver wire, over a wood base. The pommel cap featured an HJ diamond on top, complete with swas. The upper scabbard fitting portrayed an open-winged HJ eagle with swas cut into the bird's chest. The blade was etched with the HJ motto, Blut und Ehre!