Original German WWII 1939 Dated Motto & RZM Marked Transitional HJ Knife by Rare Maker Ernst Pack & Söhne with Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very service used good condition Pre-war production HJ Fahrtenmesser (HJ Trip Knife), marked on the blade with both the trademark logo and RZM code of rare maker Ernst Pack & Söhne, Stahlwarenfabrik of Solingen. This is the only example of an HJ knife made by this maker that we have ever seen, and they seem to have made very few. This is definitely a transitional period knife, with characteristics of both the early and later pattern.

Unlike the early pattern knives, later pattern knives have a thicker blade with a raised ricasso, which significantly strengthened the blade. However, this blade still bears the acid-etched motto Blut und Ehre! (Blood and Honor!), which is present and legible, though the original dark frosting has been mostly worn away. Usually these later pattern knives did not have the motto, which was removed by most makers by 1936-1937.

This HJ Knife is a solid example of the type, with a handle that is nickel-plated over a zinc alloy base. Much of the plating remains, about 90%, with some wear through around the pommel area due to wear from the securing strap. The Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in excellent condition, retained by solid nickel silver rivets with dressed obverse heads. The HJ insignia is also in very good condition with only a bit of wear, and with the enamel fully intact. The plating on the brass has worn off, which is typical, leaving a lovely dark oxidized patina on the borders. The bakelite shrinks slightly over the years, which is why the logo is a bit sunken in and loose, confirming the authenticity.

The blade of this example is solid, though definitely saw much use during its time in service. It has the later pattern strengthened ricasso, and still has traces of the original final polish grind crossgrain near the cross guard. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The edge shows that it has been sharpened multiple time, which has reduced the size of the blade somewhat overall, and it is about 1/2″ reduced in length. There are also traces of non-arsenal grinding, as well as past oxidation that has been cleaned away. The original leather blade buffer is no longer present.

The rear ricasso of the blade is etched with the “Jung Siegfried” trademark logo of Ernst Pack & Söhne, Stahlwarenfabrik (steelware factory), which is in good condition. showing wear from use and oxidation. The mark shows their “Young Siegfried wielding a hammer” Logo, surrounded by the firms initials and address, as well as an RZM marking and date. The whole marking reads:

E. P. & S.
(Jung Siegfried Logo)
SOLINGEN
GES. GESCH
((RZM))
1939

Per J. Anthony Carter’s book GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this firm was formed by Ernst Pack from Pack, Ohliger & Co. GmbH in 1922, after Robert Ohliger left. They are only recorded as having made very few HJ knives, and we can find no evidence that they were ever issued an RZM designation. The trademark on this knife is similar to the one used on early SA, NSKK, and SS daggers, except that it also has the information below “SOLINGEN”. Definitely some great research potential here! The company survived the war, until it was sold in the 1960s to another knife company from Solingen, and the maker mark continued to be used into the 1990s.

The Reichszeugmeisterei, 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. Most likely this knife was made right during the formation period, and with no further orders, there was no need to assign them a contract number.

The scabbard shell the typical tapered steel example, which shows very little in the way of dents, with no bends or other issues. This scabbard looks to originally have had a blued finish, which is now worn from long use to a gray patina. The leather hanger and belt loop are still present, and in nice supple condition, showing finish wear and wrinkles from use. The retainer loop is also present, complete with a functioning snap.

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

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