Original Item: Only One Available. During training for the various branches of the armed forces, German Soldiers in WW2 were often issued the M35 sport shirt, which was used during sporting competitions, recreation and basic training. These would have an embroidered insignia that was attached to the front of the shirt, specific to the branch they were a member of. The HJ, as the official youth organization, which was also a paramilitary organization, adopted these same shirts, and added their own insignia to the front.

Embroidery was not easily accomplished on shirts, and it was much more economical to produce the insignia separately, and sew them on later as a completed patch. These were embroidered onto rolls of fabric, and then cut out before being attached. This example however looks to have been made early on, and actually looks to have a HJ armband that was machine stitched onto the front. It is in good used condition, with overall age toning and light staining, as well as some small tears and holes. The colors are well retained, and there is not any major damage to the fabric. It looks to be standard cotton or a cotton rayon blend, and is still stretchy.

There is not any RZM information on the shirt, which looks to have been commercially made, and has a maker tag on the bottom right rear, which we were not able to identify. Next to this is what looks like 30S written in marker, which unfortunately caused the fabric to deteriorate in that area. It looks to measure about 32 inches around the chest.

Will make a great addition to any German WW2 collection.

HJ believed German youth to be the future of his 3rd Reich. The HJ (jugend) was formed officially in 1933, and with the exception of NSDAP ideology indoctrination, was very similar to the Boy Scouts. Its origins dated back to 1922 and it received the name jugend, Bund deutscher Arbeiterjugend ("HJ, League of German Worker Youth") in July 1926. From 1933 until 1945, it was the sole official youth organization in Germany and was partially a paramilitary organization; it was composed of the HJ proper for male youths aged 14 to 18, the German Youngsters in the HJ (Deutsches Jungvolk in der jugend or "DJ", also "DJV") for younger boys aged 10 to 14, and the League of German Girls (Bund Deutsche Mädel or "BDM").

Beginning at about the age of ten years, both boys (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!