Original German WWII Early HJ Knife by Gottlieb Hammesfahr & Co. with Nickel Plated Blade & Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice condition early HJ National Youth Organization Fahrtenmesser (trip knife), marked on the blade by the rare firm of Gottlieb Hammesfahr & Co. of Solingen. This early HJ Knife is a solid example of the type, with a handle that is nickel-plated over a steel base. The plating still remains in very good condition, with over 75% still intact, showing some oxidation and wear through on the pommel.

The Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in excellent condition, retained by solid nickel alloy 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. Unlike most we see, the plating on the brass borders is still intact, and it has been polished recently to put the insignia in its best light. The bakelite shrinks slightly over the years, which is why the emblem on this example is a slightly loose, confirming authenticity.

The blade of this example is in very good condition, and is typical of the early period up until 1936. It has a thinner blade with no long raised ricasso, and also no RZM codes.

It is however nickel-plated, and we are not able to tell whether this was done at the time of manufacture, or sometime during the war. We can still see the original factory grind marks under the plating, so it does not look to have been polished / cleaned much before plating, which suggests it was done soon after production, or possibly during. There is some wear to the plating, and also signs of sharpening, which have removed the plating in areas. There is also a but of runner wear as well. It has been sharpened some, but the original blade profile is preserved.

This fine early example was produced by a very rare maker: Gottlieb Hammesfahr & Co. AG, Nirosta-Werk, Stahlwarenfabrik und Gesenkschmiederei (Stainless Steel Factory, Steel goods factory and drop forge), in the Foche area of Solingen. This is a known producer of SS daggers during the Pre-WWII period and after. The rear of the dagger is marked with their trademark “Cross on a Pyramid” logo to the right of their address:

GOTTLIEB HAMMESFAHR
SOLINGEN, FOCHE
GES. GESCH.

Founded in 1804 and registered with the Solingen chamber of commerce in 1875, this company is one of the largest and longest-established edged weapon producers in Solingen. Gottlieb Hammesfahr himself claimed a direct line back to the 17th Century. While this company was known primarily as a drop forge, it also made knives and tools during the WWII period. They had several brand names, including PYRAMIDE, which had a logo of a Pyramid with a cross on it. The “oval” style trademark was specifically used on the blades of the earliest SS and SA daggers made during the Third Reich, per J. Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

The design of the knife is registered with the German trademark office, indicated by the “GES. GESCH.”, which is short for Gesetzlich Geschützt (Protected by Law). The original leather blade buffer is present and in very good shape.

The scabbard shell is the typical tapered type, with a black enamel paint finish and leather belt loop. The finish is retained at about 75%, with areas chipped or worn away, showing the the steel body with light oxidation. The remaining finish shows lots of checking and crazing, correct for a WWII period paint job. The leather belt loop is present, but in delicate condition, and is missing half of the end loop that goes over the belt. The securing strap is still present, but delicate.

A very good HJ Knife with a very nice early pattern nickel plated blade by a rare Solingen makers! In very nice collectible condition and ready to 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!