Original German WWII HJ Knife with Scabbard by Herbertz & Meurer – RZM M7/52 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is very nice example of the classic later pattern HJ Knife, produced by the rare maker Herbertz & Meurer, Stahlwarenfabrik (Steelware factory). Located in the Gräfrath district of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in Western Germany, this company was founded in 1912, and and manufactured a wide variety of various cutlery before and during the war. They did make a few SA daggers and HJ knives during the war, but are overall a rare maker, 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 shows wear from use and cleaning, with much of the original nickel plating worn away, so the original zinc alloy base metal is revealed on the pommel area. 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 minor damage from some small chips, but nothing major, 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 90% of the original black enamel finish. It has only light wear, though it does have the usual crazing and checking that occurs over the decades. The belt loop is black finished leather, with most of the original finish present. It is pebbled in texture, and in good condition, though the rear is missing some finish, and the back of the rivet that retains the securing strap has popped out.

The blade of this example his in very good condition, and does not show much sign of being used or cleaned during the war. It still has almost full factory cross grain, with a few areas of staining and light oxidation, as shown. It has not been sharpened much at all, and the original leather blade buffer is present. The reverse side of the blade is somewhat faintly stamped with an ((RZM)) circle, over code M7/52.

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 Herbertz & Meurer being contractor number 52.

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!