Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice Mid-war production HJ Fahrtenmesser (HJ Trip Knife) marked on the blade with both the trademark logo and RZM code of rare maker Carl Heidelberg of Solingen. This is definitely a transitional period knife, with characteristics of both the early and later pattern.

This HJ Knife is a solid example of the type, with a handle that is nickel-plated over a steel base. Some plating still remains, probably 40% at best, with nice patination and some oxidation of the exposed base metal. Unlike the early pattern knives, these have a thicker blade with a raised ricasso, which significantly strengthened the blade. However, acid-etched motto Blut und Ehre! (Blood and Honor!) is present and legible, though the original dark frosting has been cleaned away. Usually these later pattern knives did not have the motto, so this was made during the change over during the 1936-37 period.

The Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in excellent condition, retained by nickel-plated rivets with dressed obverse heads. The HJ insignia is also in very good condition with only a bit of wear, and with the enamel fully intact. The plating on the brass has worn off, which is typical. The bakelite shrinks slightly over the years, which is why the logo is a bit sunken in.

The scabbard shell the typical tapered example, steel with black enamel paint retained at over 95%. There is some age crazing an checking, but this really is a great example of a scabbard body  The leather hanger and belt loop are still present, but they are in somewhat delicate condition, with the leather having dried out over the decades. The retainer loop is present, but the finish has worn away, leaving the bare leather delicate. There may be some debris in the scabbard, as currently it does not completely cover the knife.

The blade of this example is solid, with the strengthened ricasso, and a nice shape and edge. It is however a bit loose in the handle from use. The blade has some of the original crossgrain near the ricasso and an intact tip. The blade definitely saw use in service, as it has been sharpened multiple times, however the blade profile has not been changed. On the reverse the blade is marked with the "two wine bottle" trademark logo in a circle to the left of:

On the blade ricasso is the additional marking ((RZM)) M7/65, right above the intact leather blade buffer. Carl Heidelberg, Stahlwarenfabrik (Steelwares Factory) was located in the Gräfrath borough of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in western Germany. They utilized the trademark of two wine or champagne bottles, sometimes marked "Schwarz" and "Weiss", and were a known maker of early HJ knives, per J. Anthony Carter's work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS. 

The Reichszeugmeisterei, or RZM, was was based at the Brown house in Munich and NSDAP party headquarters in Berlin. The RZM ensured that the manufacturers of military items were consistent in design, quality of materials and other characteristics of the items. It also defined standards of design, manufacturing and quality and published an authoritative color chart for textiles. The M7 in the code stands for knives/daggers, contractor 65 stands for firm Carl Heidelberg, a maker from the Gräfrath area of Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany. 

A wonderful HJ Knife from the transitional period, made by a Solingen Maker! Ready to add to your collection and display!

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!