Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition Pre-WWII 1936 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. The plating is almost completely retained, with just a bit of wear on the sides, and no chipping we can see.

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! Usually these later pattern knives did not have the motto, however as this was made in 1936, it still has the motto.

The Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in excellent condition, retained by solid nickel rivets with dressed obverse heads. The HJ insignia is excellent condition, with the enamel fully intact and showing no oxidation of the pebbled backgrounds on the red panels. 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 blade of this example is in very good condition, with the strengthened ricasso, and still retains the original factory final polish grind crossgrain on 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, as cleaning and use rapidly removes it. We can see that there has been some staining and past oxidation on the blade, which was cleaned away, but we see no real signs of use or sharpening. The motto darkening is now faint due to cleaning, and there is also some wear from the scabbard runner. We have made no attempts at cleaning 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 1936, 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, 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 scabbard still retains the anodized finish throughout, with scattered oxidation on the front, while the rear shows very little of this. The original rolling texture on the scabbard body is still visible. The leather hanger and belt loop are still in good supple condition, showing just a bit of wear to the black finish. The retaining loop is present with a working snap, and is in solid condition. The belt loop is embossed on the rear with the leaf logo of LFS, often seen on these HJ Knife scabbards.

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

Specifications:
Blade Length: 5 1/2"
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife
Overall length: 9 3/4”
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!