{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-motto-marked-transitional-hj-knife-by-emil-voos-with-scabbard-1937-dated-rzm-m7-2","title":"Original German WWII Motto Marked Transitional HJ Knife by Emil Voos with Scabbard, 1937 Dated, RZM M7\/2","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII transitional HJ \u003cem\u003eFahrtenmesser\u003c\/em\u003e, or HJ Trip Knife, manufactured by Emil Voos of Solingen and dated \u003cstrong\u003e1937\u003c\/strong\u003e. It retains the acid etched \u003cem\u003eBlut und Ehre!\u003c\/em\u003e motto, \u003cstrong\u003eRZM\u003c\/strong\u003e code \u003cstrong\u003eM7\/2\u003c\/strong\u003e, original factory crossgrain, closely checkered Bakelite grip plates, HJ diamond insignia, and its original style black enamel steel scabbard with leather hanger and retaining strap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example falls within the transitional production period when earlier motto bearing knives overlapped with later standardized construction. The 1937 date, raised ricasso, thicker blade profile, RZM marking, and retained motto make it a particularly interesting example of this changeover period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hilt is constructed from nickel plated nonmagnetic alloy. The plating remains exceptionally well preserved, with only small dents, scratches, and light handling wear visible. No major oxidation or finish loss is described.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe closely checkered black Bakelite grip plates remain in excellent condition and are secured by steel rivets with dressed heads on the obverse. The HJ diamond insignia is also very well preserved, with the enamel intact and only light wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plating on the brass portions of the insignia is still present and has aged to a dull gray tone. The insignia sits slightly below the surrounding grip surface and has a small amount of movement, consistent with age related shrinkage of the Bakelite grip plates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is of the later, more robust form with a raised ricasso and remains in excellent condition. It shows little evidence of service use, though there is some atmospheric oxidation, most noticeably near the final inch toward the point on the motto side and in smaller areas on the reverse. On the reverse, some oxidation has taken on the pattern of the scabbard runner fabric, indicating prolonged contact during storage. The blade retains its original factory ground edge and remains quite sharp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImportantly, the blade still retains visible factory final polish crossgrain throughout both sides. This finish is known in German as \u003cem\u003ePliesten\u003c\/em\u003e, created by polishing the blades with large leather covered wheels using a slurry of extremely fine grit. This finish is nearly impossible to replicate using modern means, and is a hallmark of Genuine WWII era German blades. It is especially important to advanced collectors because it helps preserve evidence of the original factory surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe obverse carries the acid etched motto:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBlut und Ehre!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lettering remains fully legible with crisp edges and strong surviving frosting within the etched panel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse of the blade is clearly marked with the RZM code for Emil Voos, over the production date:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e((RZM))\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eM7 \/ 2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1937\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEmil Voos, Waffenfabrik,\u003c\/em\u003e also known as a \u003cem\u003eSpezialfabrik für Jagd- und Sportmesser\u003c\/em\u003e (Special Factory for Hunting and Sporting Knives), was a Solingen-based knife maker founded in 1925. They made many HJ knives during the WWII period, both with their trademark \"Serpent Around a Stump\" logo and later under their RZM code M7\/2, per J. Anthony Carter's definitite work \u003cem\u003eGERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 NSDAP items were consistent in design, quality of materials and other characteristics of the items. The \u003cstrong\u003eM7\u003c\/strong\u003e in the code stands for knives\/daggers, contractor \u003cb\u003e2\u003c\/b\u003e stands for firm Emil Voos, Waffenfabrik, a maker from Solingen, the famous \"City of Blades\" in Western Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe steel scabbard is the standard tapered pattern and remains straight with no noticeable dents. Its original black enamel finish is now retained at approximately 25%. The surviving enamel shows extensive age related checking and crazing, while most of the remaining surface has flaked to exposed steel with light oxidation. The wear is consistent with long service and storage rather than a recently refinished appearance. The original leather hanger and belt loop remain present and show expected service wear. The retaining loop is also intact, and its snap remains functional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its 1937 transitional production date, Emil Voos RZM M7\/2 marking, intact \u003cem\u003eBlut und Ehre!\u003c\/em\u003e motto, raised ricasso blade, strong surviving factory crossgrain, excellent Bakelite grips and HJ insignia, and complete scabbard with leather hanger and retaining strap, this is a particularly appealing transitional HJ knife. The localized blade oxidation, slight looseness of the grip insignia, approximately 25% surviving scabbard enamel, extensive enamel flaking, and light oxidation to the exposed scabbard steel are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in an HJ edged weapon, transitional RZM knife, Emil Voos maker, 1937 dated blade, or advanced German WWII knife collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 5 1\/2\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Single Edged Knife\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 9 5\/8”\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 1 7\/8”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 5 7\/8” with belt loop\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAH 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45575963443269,"sku":"ONSV26MJL077","price":1295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/1950E77F-602E-4430-86DD-C846F3F46083.jpg?v=1787163788","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-motto-marked-transitional-hj-knife-by-emil-voos-with-scabbard-1937-dated-rzm-m7-2","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}