{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-transitional-hj-knife-with-motto-by-rare-maker-paul-seilheimer-with-scabbard-rzm-m7-38","title":"Original German WWII Transitional HJ Knife with Motto by Rare Maker Paul Seilheimer with Scabbard - RZM M7\/38","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition Mid-war production HJ \u003cem\u003eFahrtenmesser\u003c\/em\u003e (HJ Trip Knife), marked on the blade with the RZM code of rare maker \u003cem\u003ePaul Seilheimer, Waffenfabrik, \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eof Solingen\u003c\/em\u003e. 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 looks to be chrome plated over a copper flash coat on the alloy base. This has peeled and flaked off a lot on the pommel area, which is unfortunately somewhat common for chrome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike the early pattern knives, these have a thicker blade with a raised ricasso, which significantly strengthened the blade. However, acid-etched motto\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBlut und Ehre!\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(Blood and Honor!) is present and legible, with the original dark frosting still retained. Usually these later pattern knives did not have the motto, so this was made during the change over during the 1936-37 period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in good service used condition, retained by what look to be aluminum rivets with dressed obverse heads. The HJ insignia is very good condition, though there is oxidation under the enamel near the edges of the red portions. The nickel borders have been polished recently, giving them a great look. The bakelite shrinks slightly over the years, which is why the logo is a bit sunken in and loose, confirming the authenticity. The grips themselves show wear from long service, but no major chipping or cracks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade of this example is in very good condition, with the strengthened ricasso, and still retains the original factory final polish grind cross grain throughout both sides! This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. It is very rare to see this on a HJ Knife, which does not look, to have seen much use at all, with all the wear coming from storage and oxidation. There is some runner wear on the blade, which has removed a bit of the cross grain, however this is still a really great blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the blade ricasso is the faint marking \u003cstrong\u003e((RZM))\u003c\/strong\u003e over \u003cstrong\u003e M7\/38\u003c\/strong\u003e, right above the intact leather blade buffer. This indicates production by \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Seilheimer, Waffenfabrik\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e (Weapons factory), located in the Solingen - Wald area. P\u003cspan\u003eer J. Anthony Carter's work \u003cem\u003eGERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS\u003c\/em\u003e. this company was founded in 1917, and produced HJ knives during the third reich, first using their own trademark during the early period, and then using their RZM code as the war began. The company continued operation until 1970, though members of the family are still involved in Solingen industry to this day. The reverse ricasso looks to have some letters stamped on it, which we do not understand.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eReichszeugmeisterei\u003c\/em\u003e, 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 \u003cstrong\u003eM7\u003c\/strong\u003e in the code stands for knives\/daggers, contractor \u003cb\u003e38\u003c\/b\u003e stands for rare maker \u003cem\u003ePaul Seilheimer, Waffenfabrik\u003c\/em\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e a maker from Solingen, the famous \"City of Blades\" in Western Germany. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard shell is the typical tapered example, steel with black enamel paint, which is still retained at about 45% overall, with the rest having worn or flaked away over the decades. What remains shows crazing and checking from age, and where it has flaked away, the shell now shows a gray oxidized patina. There are no real dents we can see, so we assume this is mostly from age. The leather belt loop and hanger show a lot of dry rot, and are in relic condition. They are very fragile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very nice HJ Knife from the transitional period with a great blade, made by a rare Solingen Maker! Ready to add to your collection and display!\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":41737617702981,"sku":"ONJR24SUHA78","price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24SUHA78__01.jpg?v=1718118995","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-transitional-hj-knife-with-motto-by-rare-maker-paul-seilheimer-with-scabbard-rzm-m7-38","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}