Original German WWII HJ Knife RZM M7/14 by P. D. Lüneschloss, Solingen Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This HJ Knife is in very nice condition. The hilt has much of the the original nickel plating remaining, and does not have an major corrosion. The grip plates are the black checkered variety and are in excellent condition. They are retained by steel rivets with dressed obverse heads. The enamel grip insignia retains  very bright colors and has a clean surface, though it is loose in the grip panel.

The scabbard is completely straight throughout with about 50% of the original black paint, over the blued steel. The belt loop is the fine grain leather type made early in the period, though the retaining strap is unfortunately missing. 

The blade has some of the original crossgrain near the ricasso and an intact tip. The blade definitely saw much use in service, as it has been sharpened at least once, and has been polished as well to remove oxidation. The reverse ricasso is stamped with an RZM circle, with the code M7/14. 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.

The M7 in the code stands for knives/daggers, contractor 14 stands for firm P. D. Luneschloss of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in Western Germany. The original leather blade buffer is in place. 

A wonderful HJ Knife in fine collectible condition!

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!