Original German WWII Early Motto-Marked HJ Knife by Rare Maker Carl August Meis with Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice early HJ Knife (HJ knife) marked on the blade by blade by the rare maker Carl August Meis GmbH of Solingen. This early HJ Knife is a good example of the type, though it does show wear and oxidation on the blade. The acid-etched motto Blut und Ehre! (Blood and Honor!) is present, however you must hold the blade in the light to see it due to wear. The plating on the steel hilt is still almost fully intact, with only light wear and no major oxidation.

The Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in excellent condition, retained by nickel 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 bakelite shrinks slightly over the years, which is why the emblem on this example is slightly loose in the grip, confirming authenticity.

The blade of this example is in good condition, and is typical of the early period up until 1936. It has a thinner blade with no raised ricasso, and also no RZM codes. It has an overall dull patina from years of polishing and cleaning to remove oxidation. It has been used a bit, and sharpening has changed the blade profile in the “belly” of the edge, most likely due to some nicks or dents in the blade.

The reverse of the blade is stamped with the simplified Carl August Meis “Script CAM” trademark logo:

CAM
SOLINGEN

Carl August Meis GmbH, Taschenmesserfabrik (Pocket Knife Factory) of Solingen was founded in 1872 by Carl August Meis, and began by making tableware and scissors. They survived the first world war and the Weimar period, and went on to make SA and NSKK daggers. Per J. Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS. , the company also made a small number of HJ knives bearing only the “CAM” script trademark logo over “SOLINGEN”. The company survived the war, and is still in business today.

The design of the knife is registered with the German trademark office, indicated by the GES. GESCHÜTZT stamped to the right the trademark logo, which is short for Gesetzlich Geschützt (Protected by Law). The original leather blade buffer is still present and in good shape.

The scabbard shell the typical tapered example with 75% of the original paint. There is some wear through on the outside edges, and overall there is light scratching, crazing, and checking in the enamel due to age. The leather belt loop is intact with a functional retaining strap and snap, however the leather between the two retaining rivets on the back of the scabbard was cut for some reason, allowing the scabbard to swing back and forth. We have seen this type of modification before, and do not know what purpose it served.

A very nice HJ Knife with an early pattern blade in good collectible condition!

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

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!