Original German WWII HJ Knife with Motto by Henckels Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available: This early HJ Knife is a fine example of the type, nickel-plated over a steel base. The plating still remains in nice condition. The motto Blut und Ehre! (Blood and Honor!) is present and legible though faded.

The Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in perfect condition, retained by nickel-plated rivets with dressed obverse heads. The HJ insignia is also in choice condition, wiggling slightly to the touch as we like to see. The enamel is perfect. This enamel looks great, with bright colors of red, white, black, and gold.

The scabbard shell the typical tapered example, having some original paint. The paint shows usage and wear on both sides, but it is still bright and rates at about 50%.

The leather hanger and belt loop are still in good supple condition. The retainer loop has a good working snap.

The blade of this example is nice. This blade has no signs of sharpening or problems and all of the crossgrain is still in the surfaces. On the reverse the blade is stamped with a well-detailed Henckels logo and:

J. A. HENCKELS. SOLINGEN

ZWILLINGSWERK

GES.GESCHÜTZT

A nice honest HJ Knife from a very desirable maker who is still making knives today!

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!.