Original German WWII HJ Knife Belt with Steel Buckle by Paul Cramer & Co. & Custom “Boot Knife” – RZM M4/44 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice WWII German HJ stamped steel Belt Buckle (Koppelschloß), complete with the correct knife belt and a custom “Boot” knife. It is embossed with the HJ motto Blut und Ehre (Blood and Honor) around the HJ Emblem surmounted by an Eagle. The buckle is in good condition, still retaining much of the original aluminized paint, with some oxidation and wear through. It is marked on the back with ((RZM)) and maker code M4 / 44, for Paul Cramer & Co. of Lüdenscheid, a German city which had a large number of companies who made buckles, buttons, and other clothing items.

The thick black late war rubber belt is in very good condition, and measures 40” when fully extended. It is stamped 100 on the leather near the buckle end, for 100cm (39.3in.). The belt is still soft but does show wear to the finish on both sides, with a bit of dry rot on the leather surface. Attached to the belt is a leather hanger loop with a steel rectangular D-ring, which itself has a snap clip attached to it with a bit of leather, probably from a canteen or some other piece of field gear. There are some stampings in the leather of the loop, but we cannot make them out.

The custom “Boot” knife has a boot-shaped zinc alloy hilt, and definitely looks to be theater made, or possibly a home project. There are no markings on the blade or elsewhere on the knife. It has a nickel-plated steel leaf shaped dagger blade, and a custom made leather sheath, which laces up at the side.

This is a very lovely belt complete with a custom knife that comes ready for display!

Specifications (Knife):
Blade Length: 7 5/8″
Blade Style: Double Edge Spear Point
Overall length: 12 1/2“
Crossguard: 2 1/8”
Scabbard Length: 7 3/47″ with Belt Loop

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