Original German WWII HJ Knife by Kuno Ritter in Scabbard with Nickel Plated Steel HJ Belt Buckle by Dr. Franke & Co. Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice small WWII HJ National Youth Organization grouping, consisting of a service worn later pattern HJ fahrtenmesser (trip knife), complete with its original scabbard, along with a later pattern nickel plated steel belt buckle. Both definitely have seen service, with the knife having quite a bit, probably having been used by the owner during the war after they “graduated”, and possibly into the post war years.

The Belt Buckle (Koppelschloß) in the group is the standard wartime nickel plated steel, and is in good condition. It is embossed with the HJ motto Blut und Ehre (Blood and Honor) around the HJ Emblem surmounted by an Eagle. The buckle is in good condition, still retaining much of the original plating, with some oxidation and wear through on the corners. It is marked on the back with (RZM) and maker code M4 / 23, for Dr. Franke & Co. of Lüdenscheid, a German city which had a large number of companies who made buckles, buttons, and other clothing items.

The knife was produced by the rare maker Kuno Ritter, Stahlwarenfabrik (Steelware factory), a maker from the Gräfrath district of Solingen, the famous “City of Blades” in Western Germany. This company was founded in 1932 and officially registered a year later, just as the NSDAP took power. The company was noted mostly for making hunting knives as well as SA daggers during the third reich period, but also did make some HJ knives. The company still exists today, making knives under its HUBERTUS brand name. For more information please see GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter. It comes complete with its original scabbard, which still retains the original leather belt strap and securing loop, showing much wear.

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 of this example was originally nickel plated zinc alloy, but over the years the plating has completely worn away, and the minimal hand guard has broken away. The grip plates are the black checkered bakelite variety, and show wear and some cracking consistent with long use in the field. They are retained by plated steel rivets with dressed obverse heads. The HJ grip insignia is present but missing most of the enamel in one red and one white quadrant, showing a lovely aged brass patina on the borders. The insignia is a bit sunken in and slightly loose in the grips, caused by the bakelite shrinking over the years, which also confirms authenticity.

The blade of this example is in very good service used condition, having been sharpened several time, which has slightly altered the blade shape. There has not been any major oxidation cleaned away, so the original surface is still well preserved, showing some of the grinding marks close to the ricasso. The reverse of the blade is stamped on the ricasso with an ((RZM)) circle over code M7 / 3. The original leather blade buffer is still in place against the cross guard, showing wear from use.

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 Kuno Ritter of Solingen-Gräfrath of Solingen being contractor number 3.

The scabbard is in good condition, and looks to have had the exterior repainted with silver or possibly zinc paint when the original black enamel finish wore away. We cannot see or feel any major dents, and it really does have an interesting look. The original leather belt lop is present but worn, showing period repairs after the original rivets popped out. The leather is now somewhat delicate.

A very nice later production HJ Knife & Belt buckle set, ready to add to your collection. It’s rare the we see items with so much period wear!

Approximate Measurements:
Blade Length: 5 1/2″
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife.
Overall length: 9 5/8”
Crossguard: 1 7/8″
Scabbard Length: 5 3/4”

HJ believed German youth to be the future of his 3rd Reich. The HJ (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 (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!