Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII HJ Fahrtenmesser, or HJ Trip Knife, manufactured by WKC Waffenfabrik GmbH of Solingen and marked RZM M7/42 over the date 1942. It is a moderately service used wartime example with more than 80% of the original nickel plating remaining on the hilt, intact Bakelite grip plates and enamel insignia, surviving factory crossgrain on the ricasso, and its original black enamel scabbard with leather belt loop and damaged retention strap.

Later wartime HJ knives differed from early examples through their thicker blades and raised ricassos, which provided greater strength. They generally omitted the etched HJ motto and were commonly identified by an RZM manufacturer code rather than a conventional commercial trademark.

HJ knives were issued to members of the German youth organization as part of their uniform equipment. Some former members may have continued carrying these knives after entering military service, although no evidence establishes such later use for this example.

The hilt is constructed from zinc alloy and was originally nickel plated. More than 80% of the plated finish remains, with scattered wear, oxidation, and age-related surface deterioration. A small area of plating loss is present on the pommel where the scabbard retention strap contacted the hilt. The rear right side of the crossguard shows a damaged area with pitted corrosion.

The closely checkered black Bakelite grip plates remain in good condition and are retained by steel rivets with dressed heads on the obverse. The grips show moderate wear to the checkering and some worked-in dirt. There are no visible cracks or missing sections. The inset HJ insignia remains in very good condition with its enamel fully intact and only light wear. The original plating has worn from the brass border of the insignia, allowing the exposed metal to develop an attractive golden patina. The insignia is slightly loose. This is commonly caused by age-related shrinkage of the surrounding Bakelite grip material.

The blade remains mostly bright and shows traces of earlier oxidation staining that was subsequently cleaned away. Some original factory final grind crossgrain remains visible on the ricasso. This is an important surviving finish detail, although the main body of the blade shows longitudinal and irregular striations from post-manufacture cleaning. The cutting edge has been sharpened. The tip has become rounded, and the original leaf-shaped blade profile is less pronounced than it would have been when new.

The reverse ricasso is marked with the RZM emblem inside a double circle, with the maker code and date to the right:

M7/42
1942

This indicates manufacture by storied maker WKC Waffenfabrik GmbH of Solingen. This company is a famous manufacturer of military swords and cutlery in Solingen, Germany - a city famous since the middle ages for its metal-working and craftsmanship in sword making. Per J. Anthony Carter’s seminal work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, the traditional manufacturing of swords at WKC dates back to the year 1774 when the Weyersberg first registered the ''Kings head'' as their trademark. Later in 1883 the company merged with the Kirschbaums and the company Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie was formed, which continued into the Weimar Period. It then rebranded as W.K.C. Waffenfabrik GmbH, and produced many edged weapons during the NSDAP Period. The company is still in operation today.

The Reichszeugmeisterei, or RZM, was was based at the Brown house in Munich and NSDAP party headquarters in Berlin. The RZM regulated the manufacture and distribution of NSDAP uniforms, insignia, equipment, and related party items, ensuring the quality of materials and other characteristics of the items. The M7 in the code stands for knives/daggers, contractor 42 stands for firm WKC Waffenfabrik, a maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" (Klingenstadt) in Western Germany

The steel scabbard has the standard tapered form and retains approximately 40% of its original black enamel finish. A pinch dent is present approximately 1/2" above the tip. It does not interfere with inserting or withdrawing the blade. The remaining enamel displays age-related checking and crazing. Areas of finish loss expose steel with a blue-gray heat-treated appearance, together with scattered surface oxidation. This exposed coloration does not appear to be a separately applied traditional blued finish.

The original leather belt loop remains attached and shows wear to both the leather and its surface finish. The leather retention strap is also present, but it has dry rotted and torn away at the female snap side. It is now extremely delicate and should be handled with care.

With its desirable 1942 dated RZM M7/42 marking, WKC Waffenfabrik attribution, substantially retained hilt plating, intact enamel insignia, surviving ricasso crossgrain, original scabbard, and complete belt loop, this is a representative wartime HJ Trip Knife by one of Solingen’s best-known edged weapon manufacturers. The hilt oxidation, crossguard pitting, worn grip checkering, loose insignia, cleaned blade, prior sharpening, rounded tip, altered blade profile, scabbard dent, enamel loss, surface oxidation, and torn dry-rotted retention strap are fully disclosed. It would display particularly well in an HJ edged weapon, RZM marked knife, WKC Waffenfabrik, 1942 dated militaria, or advanced German WWII knife collection.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 5 1/2"
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife
Overall length: 9 5/8”
Crossguard: 1 7/8”
Scabbard Length: 5 7/8”

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!