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. It also has had a very interesting modification, with the original "leaf-shaped" blade modified into a "bowie-style" clip-point shape. This is definitely very well executed, though we do not know when this was done.

This HJ Knife is a solid example of the type, with a handle that is nickel-plated over a steel base. The plating is retained at about 75%, showing wear through on the obverse pommel due to contact with the securing strap. There is also some wear through on the edges, but no bubbling or 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 this was made in 1936, during the transitional period, so the motto was still seen on knives by some makers.

The Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in very good condition, retained by solid nickel rivets with dressed obverse heads. There is some wear to the texture, and also a few spots of surface deterioration. The HJ insignia is excellent condition, with the enamel fully intact and showing no oxidation of the pebbled backgrounds on the red panels. There is even still most of the plating on the nickel alloy body. The bakelite shrinks slightly over the years, which is why the logo is a bit sunken in and loose, confirming the authenticity.

The clip-point modified blade of this example is in very good condition, with the strengthened ricasso, and still retains some of 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. The motto is still crisp, though the factory darkening is worn away from cleaning, and the edge has definitely been sharpened, possibly multiple times. At present it is still relatively sharp, and should be handled with care.

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, steel with black enamel paint, which is still retained at about 75% overall, showing crazing and checking from age. There is some oxidation where the paint has flaked away, and there is a large dent on the front of the scabbard, which does not interfere with sheathing the blade. The leather belt loop is in service used condition, but still fully intact, with a functional snap on the retaining loop. The rear of the belt loop is faintly embossed with the LFS "leaf" trademark, a marking often encountered on HJ knife scabbards.

This 1936-dated HJ Fahrtenmesser by Tigerwerk Lauterjung & Co. is particularly notable for its transitional combination of an early-style blade motto with later RZM-regulated construction and dual maker markings. The blade was subsequently reshaped into a clip-point profile and sharpened, although the date and purpose of that alteration remain unknown. It retains portions of the factory cross-grain finish, an intact HJ grip emblem, approximately 75% of the plated hilt and scabbard finish, and a complete leather suspension assembly. The blade cleaning, worn motto darkening, loose insignia, scabbard dent, paint loss, and oxidation are fully evident, giving this knife a distinctive modified configuration with clearly identifiable Tigerwerk production features.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 5 3/8"
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife
Overall length: 9 1/2”
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!