Original German WWII HJ Felt Padded Leather Knife Belt with Aluminum Buckle by Friedrich Linden – RZM M4/24 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice WWII German HJ aluminum Belt Buckle (Koppelschloß), complete with the correct black patent leather knife belt. Interestingly, the entire interior of the belt has felt padding on it, even under the size adjustment tab, meaning it was made this way. We have not seem one made this way before, and are unsure of what purpose the padding serves.

The injection molded aluminum belt buckle is embossed with the HJ motto Blut und Ehre (Blood and Honor) around the HJ Emblem surmounted by an Eagle. The buckle is in very good condition which is surprising, as the aluminum used to manufacture these typically doesn’t stand up well to wear and the elements. There is some wear and scratching, but the insignia are still easy to see. It is marked on the back with ((RZM)) and maker code M4 / 24, for Friedrich Linden of Lüdenscheid, a city with a very large garment accessories industry.

The black finished leather belt is in very good used condition, still supple and without any major cracks or tears. There is some deterioration of the patent leather finish, which shows crazing, cracking, and some “melting” as often seen. It even has markings from being tightly wrapped against the pebbled size adjustment tab, which has only 6 pairs of holes for adjustment. It measures 37″ when fully extended, and is marked 96[cm], which is about 37.8 inches, so this marking is still correct.

This is a very lovely complete HJ Knife belt with some interesting features, ready to research and display!

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