Original German WWII HJ Knife with Motto by Arthur Schüttelhofer & Co. – RZM M7/13 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice Mid-war production HJ Knife (HJ knife) marked on the blade with the RZM code for rare maker Arthur Schüttelhofer & Co. of Solingen-Wald. This HJ Knife is a solid example of the type, with a handle that is nickel-plated over a steel base. Some plating still remains, probably 50% at best, with nice patination and some oxidation of the exposed base metal. Unlike the early pattern knives, these have a thicker blade with a raised ricasso, which significantly strengthened the blade. However, acid-etched motto Blut und Ehre! (Blood and Honor!) is present and legible, though the original dark frosting has been cleaned away. Usually these later pattern knives did not have the motto, so this was made during the change over during the 1936-37 period.

The Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in excellent condition, retained by nickel-plated 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 plating on the brass has worn off, which is typical. The bakelite shrinks slightly over the years, which is why the logo is a bit loose.

The scabbard shell the typical tapered example, steel with black enamel paint retained at over 95%. There is some minor age crazing an checking, but this really is a great example of a scabbard body  The leather hanger and belt loop are still present, but they are in somewhat delicate condition, with the leather having dried out over the decades. The retainer loop is present, but the snap end has broken off, and there is an intact belt loop.

The blade of this example is solid, with the strengthened ricasso, and a nice shape and edge. The blade has some of the original crossgrain near the hilt and an intact tip. The blade definitely saw use in service, as it has been sharpened multiple times, which has definitely changed the blade profile somewhat, as shown. On the reverse the blade is marked:

RZ
M
M7 / 13

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 13 stands for firm Arthur Schüttelhofer & Co., a maker from the Wald area of Solingen, the famous “City of Blades” in Western Germany. The original leather blade buffer is in place, though it is somewhat worn.

A wonderful HJ Knife from the transitional period, made by a Solingen Maker! Ready to add to your collection 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!