Original German WWII HJ Knife with Motto by Gustav L. Köller Nachf. with Scabbard – RZM M7/60 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice Mid-war production HJ Fahrtenmesser (HJ Trip Knife) marked on the blade with the HJ motto. It bears the RZM code of rare maker Gustav L. Köller Nachfolger, Stahlwarenfabrik (Steelware factory) in the Wald neighborhood of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in Western Germany. This company was founded in 1892, and was subsequently sold to the Martin family, when Nachfolger (Successor) was added to the name and registration. This company produced SA daggers and HJ knives during the third reich period, per J. Anthony Carter’s excellent book GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS. It comes complete with its original scabbard. 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 is nickel-plated over a steel base. A good amount of the plating still remains, probably about 60%, with nice patination and some oxidation of the exposed base metal. Unlike the early pattern knives, these have a thicker blade with a raised ricasso, which significantly strengthened the blade. However, acid-etched motto Blut und Ehre! (Blood and Honor!) is present and legible, though the original dark frosting has been cleaned away. Usually these later pattern knives did not have the motto, so this was made during the change over during the 1936-37 period.

The Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in excellent condition, retained by nickel-plated rivets with dressed obverse heads. The HJ insignia is also in very good condition with only a bit of wear, and with the enamel fully intact. The plating on the brass has worn off, which is typical. The bakelite shrinks slightly over the years, which is why the logo is a bit sunken in.

The blade of this example is solid, with the strengthened ricasso, and a nice shape and edge. It is solid in the handle and looks great, though there are some areas of past oxidation, now cleaned away. The blade has lost just about all of the factory cross grain, however the tip is intact, and the edge nick free and somewhat sharp. It has been sharpened while in service, but not enough to affect the blade shape. Definitely a nice example.

On the blade’s  ricasso is the marking ((RZM)) M7/60, right above the intact leather blade buffer. The 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 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, contractor 60 stands for firm Gustav L. Köller Nachfolger, a maker from the Walt area of Solingen, the famous “City of Blades” in Western Germany. 

The scabbard shell the typical tapered example, steel with black enamel paint retained at about 50%. Most of the enamel on the rear is present, however the front of the scabbard is now mostly bare steel. The leather hanger and belt loop are still present, and in nice shape, with the expected wear and cracking from age. The retaining snap is still fully functional, with a worn finish.

A wonderful HJ Knife from the transitional period, made by a rare Solingen Maker! Ready to add to your collection and display!

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!