{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-transitional-motto-marked-hj-trip-knife-by-rare-maker-artur-schuttelhofer-co-with-scabbard-rzm-m7-13","title":"Original German WWII Transitional Motto-Marked HJ Trip Knife by Rare Maker Artur Schüttelhöfer \u0026 Co. with Scabbard, RZM M7\/13","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII transitional HJ \u003cem\u003eFahrtenmesser\u003c\/em\u003e Trip Knife by the rare Solingen maker \u003cem\u003eArtur Schüttelhöfer \u0026amp; Co. Stahlwarenfabrik\u003c\/em\u003e, complete with its black enamel steel scabbard and leather hanger. It is a particularly desirable 1936-1938 transitional configuration, combining the strengthened raised ricasso blade and later \u003cstrong\u003eRZM M7\/13\u003c\/strong\u003e marking with the earlier acid etched \u003cem\u003eBlut und Ehre!\u003c\/em\u003e motto. The blade retains strong factory crossgrain on both sides, the nickel plated steel hilt is about 85% intact, the HJ insignia retains full enamel, and the original leather blade buffer is still present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hilt is nickel plated over a magnetic steel base and retains approximately 85% of its original finish. Most wear is concentrated along the sides of the pommel where the scabbard retaining strap contacted the hilt during use. The closely checkered Bakelite grip plates remain in very good condition and are secured by nickel alloy rivets with dressed obverse heads.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe HJ diamond insignia is also very well preserved with the enamel fully intact. The surrounding borders have lost much of their original nickel plating and have developed a mustard colored patina with light verdigris. As commonly encountered, slight age related shrinkage of the Bakelite has left the insignia somewhat sunken and loose in its recess.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is the strengthened transitional pattern with a raised ricasso and retains its original leaf shaped profile well. Factory final polish crossgrain remains visible throughout both sides, although it is lighter in some areas. For advanced edged weapon collectors, this surviving crossgrain is an important feature because it reflects the original factory finish and indicates that the blade has not been heavily polished or resurfaced. In German edged weapon terminology this fine polishing finish is commonly referred to as \u003cem\u003ePliesten\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade appears to have been sharpened at some point, but the work was relatively careful and did not significantly disturb the surrounding surfaces. There is scattered light staining and evidence of earlier cleaning. The original leather blade buffer remains against the crossguard and shows wear consistent with age and service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe obverse retains the acid etched HJ 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 motto remains fully legible with crisp etched edges and strong surviving frosting. Motto marked blades are associated with earlier HJ knife production and are less commonly encountered on the later strengthened ricasso pattern, making this transitional combination especially appealing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse of the blade is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRZM\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eM7\/13\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImmediately to the right is the full maker address:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eARTUR SCHÜTTELHÖFER \u0026amp; Co\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSOLINGEN-WALD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eArtur Schüttelhofer \u0026amp; Co. Stahlwarenfabrik\u003c\/em\u003e (Steelware factory) is a rare maker located in the Wald neighborhood of Solingen, the legendary \"City of Blades\" (Klingenstadt) in Western Germany. This company was founded in 1920 and registered with Solingen authorities on 28 January 1921, and produced table cutlery and straight razors. The company assembled and finished daggers for political organizations and officers during the Third Reich period, per J. Anthony Carter's excellent book \u003cem\u003eGERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS\u003c\/em\u003e. They are known to have made SA and NSKK daggers, as well as some HJ Knives.\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. 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 Arthur Schüttelhofer \u0026amp; Co. being contractor number 13.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard is the typical tapered steel pattern with black enamel lacquer finish and only one or two small dents detectable in the shell. Approximately 80% of the original finish remains, with attractive age related checking and crazing across both sides. Wear at the lower obverse exposes the texture of the rolled steel, while the reverse shows a somewhat larger area of finish loss. Light oxidation is present near the bottom where the enamel is completely gone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original leather hanger and belt loop remain present and are in good condition with expected service wear. The retaining strap is also intact and retains a functional snap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its rare Artur Schüttelhöfer \u0026amp; Co. manufacture, transitional raised ricasso blade, early style \u003cem\u003eBlut und Ehre!\u003c\/em\u003e motto, dual RZM M7\/13 and full address markings, surviving factory crossgrain, original leather blade buffer, and complete scabbard and hanger, this is a particularly desirable HJ Trip Knife from the transitional production period. The approximately 15% hilt plating loss, loose insignia from Bakelite shrinkage, past sharpening, scattered blade staining and cleaning, small scabbard dents, finish loss, crazing, and localized oxidation are fully disclosed. It would display especially well in an HJ edged weapon, transitional RZM knife, Artur Schüttelhöfer maker, Solingen edged weapon, or advanced German WWII collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 5 7\/8\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Single Edged Knife\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 9 3\/4”\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 1 7\/8”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 5 3\/4” 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":45525229928517,"sku":"ONSV26CC027","price":1395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/B5B2A6C7-E5D7-4A33-8745-1F8EE8390722.jpg?v=1786394303","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-transitional-motto-marked-hj-trip-knife-by-rare-maker-artur-schuttelhofer-co-with-scabbard-rzm-m7-13","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}