N04353 HJ HIKE/CAMP KNIFE. (Fahrtenmesser) 

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 9 1/2" in overall length, has a nickel-silver plated metal hilt with a bird’s head pommel and an upswept cross guard. The plating exhibits very light surface scratching throughout, and has a noticeable wear spot to the obverse face of its pommel. The top of the pommel has light indentations to it where it had obviously been used to strike something at one time. 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 is noticeably surface scratched, none of its original silver wash remains, and it is typically, loosely seated in its depression. The 5 5/16" long, single-edged metal blade, which may originally have been nickel-silver plated, has stamped to its reverse "F.W. Höller Solingen" and, within a rectangle and partially obscured, "Ges. Gesch." for "Gesetzlich Geschützt" (By-law Protected, or less literally, Patent Pending). Light surface scratches and spotting, and sharpening marks, are evident to both sides of the blade, and there is a small but noticeable nick to its edge. Its 5 3/4" long, sheet metal scabbard was finished with black enamel paint, approximately 90% of which still remains, with most of the wear being to its tip. 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. Moderate surface spotting may be seen to the button and all of the rivets. Moderate to heavy chafe wear and cracking is evident to the leather, however, it is still supple and intact.