BACKGROUND: The origins of the HJ, "Hitler Jugend" (Hitler Youth), may be traced back to March of 1922, with the formation of the "Jugendbund der Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei" (Youth-league of-the National-socialist German Worker’s-party), under control of the SA, "Sturmabteilung" (Storm-troops). In April of 1924 the "Jugendbund der NSDAP" was renamed the "Grossdeutsche Jugendbewegung" (Greater-german Youth-movement), and in July of 1926 that organization was renamed the "Hitler Jugend Bund der deutschen Arbeiterjugend" (Hitler Youth League of-the german Worker-youth). The HJ "Fahrtenmesser" (Hike or Camp-knife) was introduced in early 1933, and was the first blade sidearm to be officially sanctioned by the NSDAP. Originally, it was intended for wear by all HJ members, regardless of rank, but in 1937 a "Führerdolch" (Leader’s-dagger) was introduced, to be worn by those holding the ranks of "Gefolgschaftsführer" and above. DJ, "Deutsche Jugend" (German Youth), members could also wear the HJ camp knife, but only after the successful completion of appropriate tests. The early camp knives had acid-etched unto their blades the HJ motto, "Blut und Ehre!" (Blood and Honor!), after a facsimile of HJ Reichsjugendführer Baldur von Schirach’s handwriting, but in August of 1938 the blade inscription was abolished. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A later Hitler Youth camp knife and its scabbard. The knife, which is approximately 10" in overall length, has a nickel-silver plated metal hilt with a bird’s head pommel and an upswept cross guard. The plating is about 90% complete. Riveted to either side of the hilt are black bakelite grips with a cross-hatched pattern to them. Set into the obverse grip, between its dome-headed, nickel-silver plated brass rivets, is an alloy and enamel, 15/16" x 1/2", vertical diamond. A black mobile swastika, originally bordered in silver, is to the center of the diamond, with white fields to its left and right, and translucent red enamel fields with pebbled underlays above and below. The edges of the diamond were also bordered in silver. The enamel has one chip the the red section, but does not distract. The 5 1/2" long, single-edged metal blade looks to have been sharpened at some point during its period use. Very well marked "RZM M7/81 1939" for "Karl Tiegel" and on the other side "TIEGELWERK REIMBERG.SCHL". Its 5 3/4" long, sheet metal scabbard was finished with black enamel paint, approximately 99% of which still remains. A small rivet may be seen near the scabbard’s throat, and two larger rivets are to its reverse which secure the base of a dual-ply, 11/16" wide, brown leather belt loop. The vertical loop, which extends 5" above the scabbard, has another large rivet at its half-way point, above which is, riveted to the forward part of the loop, a horizontal retaining strap, the same width as the vertical, with a snap button closure.

GRADE ***½                             PRICE $ SOLD