{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-early-motto-marked-hj-knife-by-j-a-henckels-zwillingswerk-of-solingen-with-scabbard-2","title":"Original German WWII Early Motto Marked HJ Knife by J.A. Henckels Zwillingswerk of Solingen with Scabbard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely condition early HJ \u003cem\u003eFahrtenmesser\u003c\/em\u003e (trip knife), marked on the blade by blade by the desirable maker J.A. \u003cem\u003eHenckels Zwillingswerk \u003c\/em\u003eof Solingen. This early HJ Knife is a very good example of the type, showing some honest period wear while still looking great. The plating on the steel hilt is over 60% retained, showing plating loss on the end of the crossguard and on the front side of the pommel, where the steel is completely exposed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in excellent condition, retained by nickel rivets with dressed obverse heads. The HJ insignia is also in very good condition with the enamel almost fully intact, with just a bit of scratching on the surface. The plating is worn away leaving a lovely oxidized brass patina on the borders. The bakelite shrinks slightly over the years, which is why the emblem on this example is loose, confirming authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade of this example is in very good condition, and is typical of the early period up until 1936. It has a thinner blade with no raised ricasso, and also no RZM codes. The acid-etched motto \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlut und Ehre!\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e(Blood and Honor!) is fully present, though cleaning has removed the factory darkening. The blade finish is bright, and looks to have been well cared for during service, showing only light staining in a few areas. We can also see much of the original factory final polish grind cross grain. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The knife does look to have been sharpened a few times, but the geometry is still correct, and the blade is still relatively sharp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse ricasso is maker marked with the \"Twins\" (\u003cem\u003eZwilling\u003c\/em\u003e) trademark logo of \u003cem\u003eJ.A. Henckels AG, Zwillingswerk, Stahlwarenfabrik\u003c\/em\u003e (\"Twin Works\" Steelware Factory) of Solingen:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJ.A. HENCKELS. SOLINGEN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZWILLINGSWERK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis well-known company has used the \"Twins\" trademark since it was founded June 13th, 1731 by Johann Peter Henckels as \u003cem\u003eDie Zwillinge\u003c\/em\u003e. The brand's namesake was Johann Abraham Henckels the Elder (1771–1850), who renamed the brand after himself while under his leadership. The company registered several additional brands and trademarks over the years, including \"triplets\" and \"quadruplets\" to avoid confusion with their \"twins\" logo. The company was officially registered with Solingen in 1882, and became purveyors to the Prussian and Austrian imperial houses. They also began a healthy export business not long after.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the third reich era, the company made SA and NSKK daggers, as well as forged blades for other manufacturers. They manufactured HJ knives, but they seem to be somewhat rare, so production was probably limited. They also made early period army and Luftwaffe daggers, per J. Anthony Carter's fine work \u003cem\u003eGERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS\u003c\/em\u003e. The company survived the war, and is still in operation today as one of the world's leading manufacturers of chef's knives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe design of the knife is registered with the German trademark office,\u003c\/span\u003e indicated by the \u003cstrong\u003eGES. GESCHÜTZT\u003c\/strong\u003e stamped next to the trademark logo, which is short for \u003cem\u003eGesetzlich Geschützt\u003c\/em\u003e (Protected by Law). The original leather blade buffer is not present, probably having fallen off long ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard shell is the typical tapered example and is in very good service used condition, with no dents in the shell. It has about 75% of the original factory black enamel, showing a lot of checking and crazing, which has caused a good amount of the finish to flake away closer to the bottom. We also noted that the rear runner is missing, so the scabbard does not stay on the blade well. The brown leather belt loop is present, however the securing strap is torn off, with a piece now stuck in the belt loop. There is also a good amount of wear to the end of the loop, and a partial tear through near the scabbard mouth. The belt loop is embossed on the rear with the leaf logo of \u003cstrong\u003eLFS\u003c\/strong\u003e, often seen on these HJ Knife scabbards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very nice early pattern HJ Knife and scabbard, made by a desirable Solingen maker! Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Measurements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 5 3\/8\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Single Edged Knife.\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 9 1\/2”\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 2”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 5 3\/4”\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":44697838354501,"sku":"ONSV26GCS031","price":795.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26GCS031__01.jpg?v=1772637415","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-early-motto-marked-hj-knife-by-j-a-henckels-zwillingswerk-of-solingen-with-scabbard-2","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}