Original German WWII HJ Knife with Scabbard by F. & A. Helbig – RZM M7/73 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice example of the classic later pattern HJ Knife, produced by Freida & Alfred Helbig, Messerfabrik (knife factory) in Steinbach Kreis Meiningen, Germany. This was located in Eastern Germany, and after the War was folded into the State-owned VEB Besteckfabrik, per J. Anthony Carter’s excellent book GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS. It comes complete with its original scabbard.

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 has about 75% of the original nickel plating remaining, with some areas where the base metal is exposed. The grip plates are the black checkered bakelite variety and are in good condition, with some damage and cracking. They are retained by steel nickel plated rivets with dressed obverse heads, which have lost their plating. The enamel grip insignia has some damage, which has resulted in some of the enamel flaking, and also oxidation under the enamel, as shown.

The scabbard is completely straight throughout with no dents, however it has lost almost all of the original black enamel paint. It now has a lovely worn patina, and presents very well. The belt loop is black finished leather, with most of the original finish present, and some cracking. The securing strap is intact, and still snaps securely.

The blade of this example is in very good condition, without the oversharpening often seen. There is some light staining, but overall the condition of they blade is very good, with lots of the original factory cross grain visible. The original leather blade buffer is present and in very good condition. The reverse side of the blade is stamped with an ((RZM)) circle, next to code M7/73.

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 F. & A. Helbig being contractor number 73. Some listings show this maker as F. & A. Helbing, but this is incorrect.

A wonderful HJ Knife in fine collectible condition!

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!