Original German WWII HJ Knife by Athur Schüttelhofer & Co. Converted to Hunting Knife – RZM M7/13 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great USGI captured later pattern HJ Fahrtenmesser (HJ Trip Knife), which has had the original grips replaced, and the blade profile modified for hunting use. It comes with a SCHRADE – WALDEN marked leather scabbard, which is in good condition.

This knife was originally produced by 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.

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 knife is now missing almost all of the original finish, worn away from use. The original bakelite grip panels were replaced with very nice wooden panels, held in place with steel rivets.

The blade of this example has been re-shaped to resemble U.S. style hunting knives, and is still quite sharp. The original leather blade buffer is present though it is quite hard. The reverse side of the blade is stamped with an ((RZM)) circle, over code M7/13.

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 Arthur Schüttelhofer & Co. being contractor number 13.

The scabbard is in good shape, though it is bent and splitting at the bottom, so the bottom of the knife can protrude if pushed in hard enough. The retaining strap still works, though overall the leather is dry and in need of conditioning.

A wonderful HJ Knife, captured during the war and turned into a very nice hunting knife. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 5 1/2″
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife
Overall length: 9 3/4”
Crossguard: 1 7/8”
Scabbard Length: 5 7/8” with belt loop

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!