Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting HJ Fighting Knife Bayonet, in form very much a slightly scaled down 98k dress bayonet with a "knife" style blade with a false edge. We assume it was produced for a member of the HJ who wanted something more substantial and suited for combat than the usual HJ Fahrtenmesser (HJ Trip Knife). It features a steel "birds head" style pommel with a bayonet slot, though the locking button is ornamental, and does not move. There is however a red felt insert in the slot, as there would be on a dress bayonet. The nickel plating on the hilt is retained at about 75%, showing wear through and oxidation from use and age. It features checkered bakelite grips retained by steel rivets, and there is an HJ enamel insignia inlaid into the right grip scale. There is wear and some cracking to the grips, so this definitely did see some level of use.

The knife style blade does look to originally have had nickel plating, but that has been removed by use and sharpening. The edge is currently relatively dull, but we can see that it was very sharp in the past, and was well-used. There is some oxidation staining on the blade, but no major rust or other damage. The original leather blade buffer is still present against the cross guard.

The rear ricasso of the blade is maker marked PUMA-WERK / SOLINGEN, the logo of Lauterjung & Sohn, Puma-Stahlwarenfabrik / Puma - Werk of Solingen, Germany, the legendary "City of Blades". This is a known producer of SS, SA, and NSKK daggers during the Pre-WWII period and after. This company was originally founded on a small scale in 1796, Nathanael Lauterjung officially opened a cutlery and knife making workshop in Solingen during 1855. After his death, the name was changed and registered as "Puma-Werk", to avoid confusion with the other Lauterjung-owned workshops in Solingen. For more information, please see J. Anthony Carter's work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

The scabbard shell the typical tapered example, very similar to the standard HY knife scabbard, but definitely too narrow, so it was made for this fighting knife. It still retains much of the original black enamel finish, probably over 80%, showing wear in areas from service and no signs of repainting. There is still an intact belt loop, with the leather in very good shape and the securing strap fully functional with a working snap.

A very interesting HJ fighting knife from WWII by the desirable PUMA-Werk, ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 6"
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife with False Edge
Overall length: 10 1/8”
Crossguard: 1 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 6 3/8"

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!