Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII late pattern HJ Fahrtenmesser knife manufactured in 1940 by C.D. Schaaff of Solingen and marked with RZM code M7/56. It retains its original Bakelite grip plates, HJ enamel insignia, nickel plated zinc alloy hilt, and black enamel scabbard with leather belt loop and securing strap. This is a heavily service used example with substantial finish wear, blade cleaning and sharpening, and visible age related deterioration to the zinc hilt.

The late pattern HJ knife differs from earlier examples by its thicker blade with raised ricasso and the absence of the etched HJ motto. Instead, these later knives were commonly marked with an RZM manufacturer code and date.

The hilt was originally nickel plated over a cast zinc alloy base. Approximately 40% of the plating remains, with heavy wear around the pommel where the securing strap contacted the surface during use. There is additional bubbling and cracking to the zinc, consistent with age related zinc deterioration often encountered on cast fittings of this period, referred to as "Zinc Pest".

The closely checkered Bakelite grip plates remain in good service used condition. The nickel plated retaining rivets have lost much of their finish and show oxidation. The checkering shows overall wear, and the left grip plate has a glued crack immediately below the upper retaining rivet.

The inset HJ insignia remains in very good condition overall. The enamel is almost entirely intact, though the surrounding plated brass fitting has lost most of its finish and now shows a dark aged patina with some verdigris. The insignia has slight movement in the grip, consistent with shrinkage of the Bakelite over time.

The blade is heavily service worn and shows extensive evidence of past oxidation, cleaning, and sharpening. The original profile is still generally retained and the blade remains full length, but the surface shows substantial abrasion and sharpening marks. The cutting edge is currently relatively dull.

The reverse of the blade is stamped in the middle with the RZM double circle logo with the maker code and date to the right:-

M7/56
1940

This indicates 1940 manufacture by C.D. Schaaff, Stahlwarenfabrik (steel ware factory), a rare maker located in Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in western Germany. Per J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS, this company was first founded in 1871, and registered in Solingen during 1887. They would go on to manufacture all manner of steel wares, including surgical tools and sugar tongs. They were mainly known to have made SA and NSKK daggers during WWII, first with their own trademark, and later with their RZM code. They also made a small number of HJ knives bearing their trademark and RZM code. We have only had a handful of edged weapons from this maker previously.

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 56 stands for rare firm C.D. Schaaff, Stahlwarenfabrik of Solingen.

The scabbard is the standard tapered steel type and retains approximately 50% of its original black enamel finish. The surviving enamel shows overall checking, crazing, and wear, with larger areas of flaking on the front and greater general wear on the reverse. Exposed areas show oxidation where the enamel has been lost. The internal scabbard runners are still present.

There is a dent on the reverse of the scabbard that has pushed inward around the belt loop attachment rivets. The leather belt loop remains present with its original securing strap, which is still functional. The leather shows age related cracking, wrinkling, and deterioration but remains complete, though delicate.

With its 1940 dated RZM M7/56 blade marking, identifiable C.D. Schaaff manufacture, late pattern raised ricasso blade, original HJ grip insignia, service worn zinc hilt, and matching period scabbard with functional leather retaining strap, this is a strong example of a late pattern HJ Fahrtenmesser. The zinc deterioration, approximately 40% hilt plating, cracked and repaired grip plate, blade oxidation, heavy cleaning and sharpening, enamel loss to the scabbard, reverse dent, and aged leather are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in an HJ edged weapon, RZM marked knife, C.D. Schaaff, Solingen maker, or advanced German WWII edged weapon collection.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 5 5/8"
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife
Overall length: 9 3/4”
Crossguard: 1 7/8”
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!