Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good service used condition Pre-war production HJ Fahrtenmesser (HJ Trip Knife), marked on the blade with both the trademark logo of rare maker Ernst Pack & Söhne, Stahlwarenfabrik of Solingen and the RZM logo. This is only the second example of an HJ knife made by this maker that we have ever seen, and they seem to have made very few. This is definitely a transitional period knife, with characteristics of both the early and later pattern. It comes with an original scabbard, and we noted that both the back of the pommel and the leather on the scabbard are stamped with the number 3.

Unlike the early pattern knives, later pattern knives have a thicker blade with a raised ricasso, which significantly strengthened the blade. However, this blade still bears the acid-etched motto Blut und Ehre! (Blood and Honor!), which is present and legible, though the original dark frosting has been mostly worn away. Usually these later pattern knives did not have the motto, which was removed by most makers by 1936-1937.

This HJ Knife is a solid example of the type, with a handle that is nickel-plated over a zinc alloy base. Much of the plating remains, about 90%, with a bit of wear through around the pommel area due to wear from the securing strap. The Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in excellent condition, retained by solid nickel silver rivets with dressed obverse heads. The HJ insignia is also in very good condition with only a bit of wear, and with the enamel fully intact. The plating on the brass has worn off, which is typical, leaving a lovely dark oxidized patina on the borders. The bakelite shrinks slightly over the years, which is why the logo is a bit sunken in and loose, confirming the authenticity.

The blade of this example is solid, though definitely saw a good amount of use and cleaning during its time in service. It has the later pattern strengthened ricasso, and looks to have had overall oxidation staining at some point, which was then cleaned off on both sides by buffing. This has left striations on the blade, and unfortunately did make the markings faint on the reverse. The edge shows that it has been sharpened multiple time, which has reduced the size of the blade somewhat overall, and it is about 1/4" reduced in length. The original leather blade buffer is still present and in very good condition.

The rear ricasso of the blade is etched with the "Jung Siegfried" trademark logo of Ernst Pack & Söhne, Stahlwarenfabrik (steelware factory), which is in good condition. showing wear from use and oxidation. The mark shows their "Young Siegfried wielding a hammer" Logo, surrounded by the firms initials and address, as well as an RZM marking and date. Due to the cleaning of the blade, the etching is quite faint, and must be held in the light to see all of it. The whole marking reads:

E. P. & S.
(Jung Siegfried Logo)
SOLINGEN
GES. GESCH
((RZM))
1937

Per J. Anthony Carter's book GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this firm was formed by Ernst Pack from Pack, Ohliger & Co. GmbH in 1922, after Robert Ohliger left. They are only recorded as having made very few HJ knives, and we can find no evidence that they were ever issued an RZM designation. The trademark on this knife is similar to the one used on early SA, NSKK, and SS daggers, except that it also has the information below "SOLINGEN". Definitely some great research potential here! The company survived the war, until it was sold in the 1960s to another knife company from Solingen, and the maker mark continued to be used into the 1990s.

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. Most likely this knife was made right during the formation period, and with no further orders, there was no need to assign them a contract number.

The scabbard shell the typical tapered example, however unlike almost all that we see, it is anodized / blued steel, which is very rare to see on a HJ knife. Only a few makers used this finish for a short time period, with most opting for black enamel. The other example of a knife by Pack we had previously was also in an anodized scabbard. It still retains the anodized finish well, now faded a bit towards gray, and also has some light oxidation in areas. The leather hanger and belt loop are still present, however the leather does show some cracking to the black finish due to age. The retaining loop is present with a working snap, and is in good condition. The belt loop is embossed on the rear with the leaf logo of LFS, often seen on these HJ Knife scabbards.

A very nice HJ Knife from the transitional period, made by a very rare 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 4" 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!