Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used example of the classic later pattern HJ fahrtenmesser (trip knife), complete with its original scabbard. It was produced by the rare maker Artur Schüttelhofer & Co. Stahlwarenfabrik (Steelware factory) in the Wald neighborhood of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in Western Germany. This company was founded in 1920, and assembled and finished daggers for political organizations and officers during the Third Reich period, per J. Anthony Carter's excellent book GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS. It comes complete with its original scabbard, which features an leather belt loop and detached securing strap.

These knives were given to boys who were educated in the paramilitary organization, which they often continued to carry into their military service. Unlike the early pattern knives, these have a thicker blade with a raised ricasso, which significantly strengthened the blade. They also do not have the HJ motto etched on the blade, and often are marked not with a maker, but a German RZM Code.

The hilt of this example is nickel plated zinc alloy, and the original finish is retained at about 70%, with part having been worn off by the retaining strap on the scabbard. There is also overall speckled bubbling where the plating remains. The grip plates are the black checkered bakelite variety and are retained by plated steel rivets with dressed obverse heads. They are in good condition, showing some wear from service, and the right grip scale has some areas the look to have possibly been repaired. The left grip scale has a crack towards at the bottom running about half way towards the guard. The HJ grip insignia has all of the enamel retained, and even still has a good amount of the nickel plating on the borders, with the rest showing the bronze base metal. The insignia is a bit loose in the grips, caused by the bakelite shrinking over the years, which also confirms authenticity.

The blade of this example is in good service used condition, looking to have been sharpened multiple times, enough to shorten it by about 3/8" of an inch. This has also changed the blade shape a bit, with now having less of a "belly" to the shape. It does look like the tip may have been damaged at one point and re-shaped. The blade surface shows past oxidation and cleaning throughout, giving it a great service worn look. The reverse of the blade is stamped with an ((RZM)) circle over code M7 / 13, though it is a bit faint due to being struck lightly. The original leather blade buffer is still in place against the cross guard, but is definitely worn and dry rotted, and crumbles easily.

The Reichszeugmeisterei, or RZM, 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, with Artur Schüttelhofer of Solingen being contractor number 13.

The scabbard shell is the typical tapered example, made from steel, and is in very good condition with over 90% of the original black enamel finish still present. It shows a lovely pattern of checking and crazing, confirming the age and that it has not been refinished. There are a few areas where the finish is missing, which has allowed the steel to oxidize. The leather belt loop and securing strap present but in somewhat delicate condition, with the leather showing dry rot and some tearing. The securing strap is no longer attached to the loop, as the rivet has pulled through.

A lovely service used pattern German WWII HJ Knife from a rare Solingen maker! Ready to display!

Approximate Measurements:
Blade Length: 5 1/8"
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife.
Overall length: 9 3/16”
Crossguard: 1 7/8"
Scabbard Length: 5 7/8”

HJ believed German youth to be the future of his 3rd Reich. The HJ (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 (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!