Original German WWII 1938 dated Transitional HJ Knife by Rare Maker Hartkopf & Co. with Scabbard – RZM M7/40 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice condition Mid-war production HJ Fahrtenmesser (HJ Trip Knife), marked on the blade with both the logo and RZM code of rare maker Hartkopf & Co. of Solingen. This HJ Knife is a solid example of the type, with a handle that is nickel-plated over an steel base. The plating still remains in nice condition, with over 80% still present, with a bit of wear through on the sides of the pommel from the securing strap. Unlike the early pattern knives, these have a thicker blade with a raised ricasso, which significantly strengthened the blade. There is no acid etched motto on the blade, and it does not look like it ever had one.

The Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in good condition, retained by nickel alloy rivets with dressed obverse heads. They do show wear, and there is a missing chunk from the reverse side grip near the pommel. The HJ insignia has mostly intact enamel, but does show damage, looking to have taken a blow that cracked and damaged the translucent portions. The bakelite shrinks slightly over the years, which is why the logo is a bit sunken in and the grips a bit loose, confirming the authenticity.

The blade of this example is in good condition, with the strengthened ricasso, and a nice shape and edge. It has however been ground and re-shaped on both sides, which has definitely lightened the blade a bit, making the spine thinner. We do not know if this was done during the wartime, but we suspect afterwards. Fortunately this did not remove the markings. The original leather blade buffer is in place, showing just a bit of wear on the edge, and there is the number 3127 stamped into the ricasso, possibly identifying the owner.

On the reverse the blade is marked with the Hartkopf “Two Devils’ Heads”, with the name and address to the right:

HARTKOPF
& Co.
SOLINGEN

The reverse ricasso is further marked with the RZM Designation (RZM) M.7 / 40 / 38. The transition to the RZM system occurred in 1938-39, so there are knives from various makers that are both maker and RZM marked from this period. Hartkopf & Co., Taschenmesserfabrik (pocket knife factory) was founded in 1922 during the Weimar period, and began manufacturing pocket knives with the “Two Devils” logo on them. By 1939 they had grown, and were advertising various pocket, sport, and utility knives, as well as HJ, SA, and NSKK daggers, per J. Anthony Carter’s fine work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

The Reichszeugmeisterei (National Quartermaster Office), 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 M.7 in the code stands for knives/daggers, contractor 40 stands for firm Hartkopf & Co., a rare maker from Solingen, the famous “City of Blades” in Western Germany.

The scabbard shell the typical tapered example with a the standard black enamel finish, which is retained at about 75%, with more wear on the front than on the back. There is some light oxidation where the enamel is chipped away, showing the original blued finish heat treating the steel shell produced. The leather hanger and belt loop are still in good supple condition, though the black finish does some light cracking. The retaining loop is present with a working snap, and is in solid condition.

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

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