Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting private purchase German knife from WWII, which looks to have been made using the same hilt and even the scabbard as a HJ National Youth Association knife, but using a much sturdier clip-point bowie blade. The design of the HJ knives was solid, and based on the standard German bayonet hilt, so it makes sense for more robust private purchase types to be made. Many of the boys who were educated in the paramilitary organization continued to carry into their military service, and this would allow them to do something similar, but avoid losing / damaging their original knife. The knife was made by Rare Maker Hartkopf & Co. of Solingen, a known maker of HJ knives, so they already had the hilts and scabbards on hand, they just needed a new blade.

The knives features a nickel-plated steel hilt, which retains the plating at about 75%, showing wear and oxidation. The bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in very good condition, retained by solid nickel alloy rivets with dressed obverse heads. The blade is solidly attached to the hilt, and has a lovely clip-point "combat knife" style blade with a thick spine for added strength and rigidity. It does show some sharpening, as well as past oxidation, now partly removed, giving it a great "been there" look. The edge is currently relatively dull, but does not show any major damage such as dents or chips. The original leather blade buffer is still present, showing the expected wear from use and age.

The reverse ricasso of the blade is stamped with the maker HARTKOPF & Co. in an arc over SOLINGEN, the legendary "City of Blades" in Western Germany. Hartkopf & Co., Taschenmesserfabrik (pocket knife factory) was founded in 1922 during the Weimar period, and began manufacturing pocket knives with the "Two Devils" logo on them. By 1939 they had grown, and were advertising various pocket, sport, and utility knives, as well as HJ, SA, and NSKK daggers, per J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

The scabbard shell the typical tapered example, steel with a black enamel lacquer finish, with no dents we can feel. The finish is well retained, with about 80% present on the front and over 90% on the reverse. It shows overall checking and crazing due to age, with some scratching on the front. This shows that it has never been refinished, as this pattern takes decades to form. The leather hanger and belt loop are still present, and in nice condition, with the expected service wear. The retainer loop is also present, with a functional snap in great shape, though the leather finish is degraded.

A very interesting HJ style bowie knife from the early war period, made by a rare Solingen Maker! Ready to add to your collection and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 5 1/8"
Blade Style: Single Edged Clip-Point "Bowie" Knife
Overall length: 9 3/8”
Crossguard: 2”
Scabbard Length: 5 5/8”