Original German WWII 1939 Dated HJ Knife by Rare Maker P.D. Lüneschloss with Scabbard – RZM M7/14 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used example of the classic later pattern HJ fahrtenmesser (trip knife), complete with its original scabbard. It was produced by the rare maker P.D. Lüneschloss, Fabrik Blanker Waffen (Factory of Bare Weapons) of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in Western Germany. This is a very rare producer of the HJ knives, as they only were known to have made small numbers during the Third Reich period.

This well-known company was founded in 1810 by Peter Daniel Lüneschloss, and produced numerous edged weapons, both for domestic and foreign contracts. They manufactured many private purchase officer’s swords and blades for the U.S. Civil war. During the Third Reich period, they mainly were known for producing SA, SS, and NSKK Daggers, as well as private purchase officers daggers and swords, per J. Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS. It comes complete with its original scabbard, which still has a fully intact leather belt loop.

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 example is nickel plated zinc alloy, and the original finish is well retained, except where the retaining strap wore through it. There is some light oxidation and a bubbling, as well as some flaking in areas, giving it a lovely worn patina. The grip plates are the black checkered bakelite variety and are in very good condition, with light wear, and definitely no cracking. They are retained by plated steel rivets with dressed obverse heads. The HJ grip insignia has almost all of the enamel, with just a small chip at the bottom, and the plating has worn away, leaving an oxidized patina on the borders. The grips are a bit loose, and the insignia is a bit sunken in and slightly loose in the grips, caused by the bakelite shrinking over the years, which also confirms authenticity.

The blade of this example is in very good used condition, still showing traces of the original factory final polish grind crossgrain near the ricasso on both sides. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The blade definitely shows use and sharpening, which has changed the shape of the blade somewhat. There is a bit of past oxidation, now removed, as well as the usual runner wear. The blade is currently relatively dull. The original leather blade buffer is still in place against the crossguard.

The reverse of the blade is still marked with the RZM contract information and date, though it is a bit worn towards the bottom from cleaning:

((RZM)
M7 / 14
1939

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 P.D. Lüneschloss of Solingen being contractor number 14.

The scabbard is in very good service used condition, with the original rolled steel body showing just one small dent on the rear edge. The original black enamel finish is only retained at about 50% overall, with a lot of crazing and checking. Most of the paint loss is on the lower half of the scabbard, as is typical. The original leather belt loop is in very nice condition, showing some wrinkles from use and age, but no tearing or dry rot. The original rivet is still present, and the securing strap fully functional.

A very nice late pattern German WWII HJ Knife from a rare Solingen maker! Ready to display!

Approximate Measurements:
Blade Length: 5 1/2″
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife.
Overall length: 9 5/8”
Crossguard: 1 7/8″
Scabbard Length: 5 3/4”

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!