Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely condition early HJ Fahrtenmesser (trip knife), marked on the blade by blade by the rare maker Gebrüder Christians of 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 it was in contact with the securing strap.

The 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.

The 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 Blut und Ehre! (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 some 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, which shortened it by about 1/8". It still has the correct leaf shape mostly retained, and is currently not very sharp.

The reverse is maker marked in the center of the blade:-

The "Three-Tined Fork" is a trademark used during the early WWII Period by Gebrüder Christians, Christianswerk, Stahlwarenfabrik (Steelware Factory) in Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in western Germany. This company produced early SA, NSKK, and SS daggers, as well as HJ knives during the war. The design is registered with the German trademark office, indicated by the GES. GESCHÜTZT, which is short for Gesetzlich Geschützt (Protected by Law). The original blade buffer is missing.

The scabbard shell is the typical tapered example and is in very good used condition, with no dents in the shell we can see. It has about 90% of the original factory black enamel, showing checking and crazing from age, showing that it was not refinished at any time. There are some scratches and areas of finish loss, which have allowed the shell to oxidize. The black leather belt loop is present and in very good condition, still fully intact with a working security strap. There is some wear to the leather and cracking to the finish, but no tears or more serious damage.

A very nice early pattern HJ Knife and scabbard, made by a rare Solingen maker! Ready to display!

Approximate Measurements:
Blade Length: 5 1/4"
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife.
Overall length: 9 3/8”
Crossguard: 2”
Scabbard Length: 5 3/4”

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!