{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-1938-dated-transitional-hj-knife-with-motto-by-robert-klaas-with-scabbard-rzm-m7-37","title":"Original German WWII 1938 dated Transitional HJ Knife with Motto by Robert Klaas with Scabbard - RZM M7\/37","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely condition pre-war production HJ \u003cem\u003eFahrtenmesser\u003c\/em\u003e (HJ Trip Knife), marked on the blade with both the logo and RZM code of desirable maker \u003cem\u003eRobert Klaas, Feine Solingen Stahlwaren of Solingen\u003c\/em\u003e. This is definitely a transitional period knife, based on the \u003cstrong\u003e1938\u003c\/strong\u003e date as well as the motto. Unlike the early pattern knives, these have a thicker blade with a raised ricasso, which significantly strengthened the blade. The acid-etched motto \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBlut und Ehre!\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e (Blood and Honor!) is present and fully legible, still showing crisp edges with the frosting strongly present. Usually these later pattern knives did not have the motto, however as this was made during the 1936-1938 changeover period, this is correct.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis HJ Knife is a solid example of the type, with a handle that is nickel-plated over a magnetic steel base. This is retained at over 9%, showing only light wear, mostly on the sides of the pommel from the scabbard securing strap, though there is also a bit on the cross guard finial. The Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in very good condition, retained by aluminum alloy rivets with dressed obverse heads. The HJ insignia is also in very good condition with only a bit of wear, and with the enamel fully intact. Like most we see, the borders have lost their original nickel plating, now displaying a lovely \"mustard\" patina with a bit of verdigris. The bakelite shrinks slightly over the years, which is why the logo is a bit sunken in and loose, confirming the authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade of this example is solid, with the strengthened ricasso, and still retains the original \"leaf\" shape well. The factory final polish grind crossgrain is still present on areas of the blade body near the spine and motto, though it can be hard to see. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The blade has has been sharpened several times, and it was not done with the greatest care, so there is scratching on the blade surface near the edge. There is also some light staining in areas. There is overall oxidation staining on the blade, but no signs of major rust peppering or past pitting. This looks to be a knife that saw a good amount of use during the WWII period, but was not exposed to the elements very much.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse ricasso of the blade is marked with the \"Kissing Storks\" trademark emblem of Robert Klaas, over the company's address marking:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(Kissing Storks)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eROBERT KLAAS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSOLINGEN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is further marked on the obverse ricasso with the \u003cstrong\u003e(RZM) \u003c\/strong\u003emark to the left of maker designation\u003cstrong\u003e M7\/37\u003c\/strong\u003e over a \u003cstrong\u003e1938\u003c\/strong\u003e date. The transition to the RZM system occurred in 1938-39, so there are knives from various makers that are both maker and RZM marked from this period, and early examples are even motto-marked.\u003cem\u003e Robert Klaas, Feine Solingen Stahlwaren\u003c\/em\u003e (Fine Solingen Steelware), is a well-known maker from Solingen, the famous \"City of Blades\" in Western Germany, which produced many fine edged weapons. The company was originally founded by Friedrich Robert Klaas, who married the daughter of knife maker Peter Daniel Pauls. After his father-in-law passed away, all was left to Klaas and his wife, so he merged his scissor business with the knife business, and registered with Solingen authorities in 1869. The company passed to his sons, and then his son-in-law. It survived WWI, WWII, and still exists today, per J. Anthony Carter's fine work \u003cem\u003eGERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 \u003cstrong\u003eM7\u003c\/strong\u003e in the code stands for knives\/daggers, contractor \u003cstrong\u003e37\u003c\/strong\u003e stands for firm Robert Klaas, Feine Solingen Stahlwaren, a maker from Solingen, the famous \"City of Blades\" in Western Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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 60% present on the front and over 90% on the reverse. It shows overall checking and crazing due to age, with flaking on the front. This shows that it has never been refinished, as this pattern takes decades to form. There is a bit of oxidation where the finish has worn away. 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely HJ Knife from the transitional period, made by a hard to find Solingen Maker! Ready to add to your collection and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 5 5\/8\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Single Edged Knife\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 9 3\/4”\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 1 7\/8”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 5 3\/4” with belt loop\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAH 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44900286234693,"sku":"ONSV26GTGS021","price":995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/9A2EA242-A0DA-4F8B-9374-A5F14F841289.jpg?v=1777456033","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-1938-dated-transitional-hj-knife-with-motto-by-robert-klaas-with-scabbard-rzm-m7-37","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}