Original German WWII Transitional HJ Knife by Rare Maker August Merten of Solingen with Scabbard - RZM M7/31

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used mid-war production HJ Fahrtenmesser (HJ Trip Knife), marked very faintly on the blade with both the trademark logo and RZM code of rare maker August Merten of Solingen. This is definitely a transitional period knife, with characteristics of both the early and later pattern. This HJ Knife is a solid example of the type, with a handle that was originally nickel plated over a zinc alloy base, however the plating is now completely worn away.

Unlike the early pattern knives, these have a thicker blade with a raised ricasso, which significantly strengthened the blade. We do not see any signs of the acid-etched"Blut und Ehre!" (Blood and Honor!) motto, however due to the wear on the blade it would have been obliterated anyway.

The Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in good condition, retained by plated steel rivets with dressed obverse heads, though the plating has mostly worn away. They do show wear, but there are no cracks or missing chunks on either side. The HJ insignia has fully intact enamel, which shows some wear from service, but no cracking or chipping. The borders have lost their original nickel plating, now displaying a lovely "mustard" patina with a bit of verdigris. The bakelite shrinks slightly over the years, which is why the logo is a bit sunken in, confirming the authenticity.

The blade of this example is in very good service used condition, with the strengthened ricasso, however it definitely has seen a good amount of use and cleaning. This has completely removed the original factory final polish grind crossgrain on both sides, and we can see some staining as well as areas where staining was removed. The edge is still relatively sharp, however there is a dent about 4mm by 1mm present. The blade still has the original leaf shape, and the leather blade buffer is still present, but worn.

The reverse ricasso is VERY faintly etched with an RZM code marking over the Eichenlaub (Oak Leaves) trademark of August Merten Eichenlaub Stahlwarenfabrik (Oak Leaves Steelware Factory) of Solingen. Due to how faint it is, it can only bee seen in the right light with a magnifier, however it definitely reads as follows:

((RZM))
[ M  7/31  ]
EICHENLAUB
M
(Crossed Oak Leaves)
SOLINGEN

This company was founded in 1910 by August Merten, and registered with Solingen Authorities in 1919. After the passing of August, the name was changed to August Merten Witwe (August Merten's Widow). By the NSDAP period, it was owned by Erich, Friedrich, and Werner Merten, as listed in the 1939 DRAB. They made a small number of Army, SA, and NSKK daggers during the war. They also made HJ knives with the M "Oakleaves" trademark over SOLINGEN, per J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS. The company survived the war, and was in operation until 1998, when the company and trademarks were sold to Robert Herder.

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 31 stands for firm August Merten, a maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany.

The scabbard shell the typical tapered example, steel that was originally coated with black enamel paint, which has now flaked away partially. It has lost a bit more on the front than the back, and the enamel that remains shows the usual checking and crazing from age, showing that it has not been refinished. The original belt loop and securing strap are present and functional, though the leather is a bit delicate.

A lovely service used HJ Knife from the transitional period, made by a rare Solingen Maker! Ready to add to your collection and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 5 6/8"
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife
Overall length: 9 3/4”
Crossguard: 1 7/8”
Scabbard Length: 5 3/4

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!