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 Ludwig Groten 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 90% retained, showing just a bit of 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 mostly intact, showing some cracking on the upper translucent quadrant, which has allowed the brass underneath to oxidize. 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 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 to remove oxidation has made it very faint and removed all of the factory darkening. THe blade has a mostly bright finish now, but we can see that both sides had significant oxidation removed by cleaning. The original factory final polish grind cross grain has been obliterated, and the blade is also a bit narrower than it was originally. It has been sharpened in the past, and is still quite sharp in areas.

The reverse is has the "rectangular" maker mark of Ludwig Groten, Taschenmesserfabrik (Pocket Knife Factory), which surrounds their Lanze und Fahne (lance and banner) trademark logo:-

This company was founded in 1919 during the early post WWI period in Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in Western Germany. Per J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS, this company did not actually register with Solingen commercial authorities until after WWII, in 1953. This company was well-known for making pocket knives, and had purchased several businesses during the 1930s to increase production capacity. This company produced SA and NSKK Daggers during the war, and was also listed as a maker of HJ knives in 1038-1939 by Die Klinge. 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 missing almost all of the exterior paint, as well as the entire belt loop on the back. It also is missing the rivet for the scabbard throat, which was ground out at some point, something that we cannot really explain. Perhaps it was going to be repaired at some point, but was left as is, and the throat has fallen down into the bottom of the scabbard due to this.

A very interesting early pattern HJ Knife and scabbard, made by a rare Solingen maker that we have never seen before! Ready to display!

Approximate Measurements:
Blade Length: 5 3/8"
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife.
Overall length: 91/2”
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!