Original German WWII Late Pattern "Sanitized" HJ Knife by Artur Schüttelhofer with Scabbard - RZM M7/13

Original Item: Only One Available. This is very good "Sanitized" example of the classic later pattern HJ fahrtenmesser (trip knife), complete with its original scabbard. It was produced by the rare maker 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, which features an leather belt loop and detached securing strap.

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 nickel plated steel, and the original finish is retained at over 90%, showing some swirl marks from cleaning. There are a few chips to the plating on the end of the crossguard, and on the bottom and rear of the pommel, which has allowed the steel to oxidize. The grip plates are the black checkered bakelite variety and are retained by solid nickel alloy rivets with dressed obverse heads. The grips are in very good condition, showing little wear, however the HJ grip insignia has been removed from the right grip scale, "Sanitizing" the knife for sale and use post war.

The blade of this example is in excellent condition, and still retains the original factory final polish grind cross grain throughout the surface on both sides. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. There is just a bit of oxidation staining and also some swirl marks from cleaning, and we can see that the blade was sharpened, and is currently VERY SHARP. It shows no major damage to the edge, and the tip is still intact, making this really a great example. The reverse of the blade is stamped with an ((RZM)) circle over code M7 / 13, and the original leather blade buffer is still in place against the cross guard, showing light 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 Artur Schüttelhofer of Solingen being contractor number 13.

The scabbard shell is the typical tapered example, made from steel, and is in very good condition with over 90% of the original black enamel finish still present. It shows a lovely pattern of checking and crazing, confirming the age and that it has not been refinished. There are a few areas on the front where the finish is missing, which has allowed the steel to oxidize. The leather hanger and belt loop are still in good supple condition, though the black finish does some light cracking. The retaining loop is present with a working snap, and is in solid condition. The belt loop is embossed on the rear with the leaf logo of LFS, often seen on these HJ Knife scabbards.

A lovely "Sanitized" German WWII HJ Knife from a rare Solingen maker with a great blade! Ready to display!

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

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!