Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice WWII German HJ National Youth Organization plated steel Belt Buckle (Koppelschloß), complete with a VERY rare rubber knife belt. It is embossed with the HJ motto Blut und Ehre (Blood and Honor) on a ribbed background inside a double rope border around the HJ Emblem, which is surmounted by an Eagle. The buckle is in very good shape for its age but has lost some of the nickel plating on the front, while it is better retained on the reverse. It is marked on the back with (RZM) and maker code M/4 / 55, for Julius Kremp of Lüdenscheid, a German city known for its clothing accessories industry. This maker is quite rare, and this is the first item that we have ever had from this maker.

The rare rubber belt is in very good condition, not showing any cracking or other damage, though it has become quite stiff over the decades. It measures about 33" when fully extended, and is size stamped 80 on the buckle end, for 80cm (31.5in.). The adjustment tab with a double row of seven holes is still present, and is marked with (RZM) L2/134/43, which most likely indicates 1943 manufacture. There is unfortunately no real record of the leather suppliers in the RZM system. The clip on the other end is marked ((RZM)) M4/22, for for Christian Theodore Dicke of Lüdenscheid, a very well known maker. The belt is in great shape, with the main discrepancy being the stitching holding on the adjustment tab having partly rotted out.

This is a very lovely rare complete HJ rubber knife belt with some nice features, ready for further research and display!

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 M4 in the code stands for belt buckles, contractor 22 stands for firm Christian Theodore Dicke.

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