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

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice service-used example of the classic later pattern HJ Knife, produced by Artur Schüttelhofer & Co. Stahlwarenfabrik (Steelware factory) in the Wald neighborhood of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in Western Germany. This company was founded in 1920, and assembled and finished daggers for political organizations and officers during the Third Reich period, per J. Anthony Carter’s excellent book GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS. It comes complete with its original scabbard.

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 is well used, with all of the original nickel plating worn away, so the original zinc alloy base metal is entirely revealed. It has a very nice oxidized bluish patina. The grip plates are the black checkered bakelite variety and are in very good condition, with no only minor wear, and no cracking They are retained by steel nickel plated rivets with dressed obverse heads, which have most of their plating. The enamel grip insignia has some damage, which has resulted in some of the enamel flaking, and also oxidation under the enamel, as shown. It is loose in the grips, caused by the bakelite shrinking over the years, which also confirms authenticity.

The scabbard is completely straight throughout with no dents, and retains about 60% of the original black enamel finish. It is worn more on the front than on the back, as shown, and there are numerous small chips and crazing in the finish. The belt loop is black finished leather, with most of the original finish present, and some cracking. The securing strap is completely missing,  and the leather is somewhat delicate.

The blade of this example has been used extensively during service, which has altered the blade profile somewhat. It was machined sharpened with some type of grinder, which unfortunately caused damage to the blade finish in those areas. The factory cross grain is however still visible on the blade near the ricasso. There are areas of staining and light oxidation, as shown. The original leather blade buffer is present though it is quite hard. The reverse side of the blade is stamped with an ((RZM)) circle, over code M7/13.

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 Arthur Schüttelhofer & Co. being contractor number 13.

A wonderful HJ Knife in fine collectible condition!

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!