Original German WWII 1939 dated HJ Knife with Scabbard by PUMA – RZM M7/27 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice example of the classic later pattern HJ Knife, produced by Puma-Werk, a brand name of Lauterjung & Sohn. This is a well-known maker from Solingen, the famous “City of Blades” in Western Germany, which marketed many fine edged weapons. 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 very good condition, with just a bit of wear. They are retained by steel nickel plated rivets with dressed obverse heads, which have lost their plating. The enamel grip insignia retains very bright colors and has a clean surface, with almost completely intact enamel. The plating has worn off the insignia, and the brass has faded to a nice patina. It is loose in the grip plate, as the bakelite can shrink, but this also confirms authenticity.

The scabbard is completely straight throughout with no dents, and still has over 90% of the black enamel intact. There is the expected checking and crazing, as well as some chipping. 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 and damage to the edge as shown. This could be early sharpened out, however that would lose part of the lovely patina this item has. The original leather blade buffer is missing. The reverse ricasso is stamped with an ((RZM)) circle, next to code M7/72 over date 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 Puma-Werk Lauterjung & Sohn being contractor number 27.

A wonderful HJ Knife in fine collectible condition!

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!