N21351 HJ HIKE/CAMP KNIFE. (HJ Fahrtenmesser) 

BACKGROUND: The origins of the Hitler Jugend, (Hitler Youth), may be traced back to March 1922 with the formation of the Jugendbund der NSDAP, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (Youth League of the National Socialist German Worker’s Party), under control of the SA, Sturmabteilung, (Storm/Assault Detachment). In April 1924 the Jugendbund der NSDAP was renamed Grossdeutsche Jugendbewegung (Greater German Youth Movement), and on July 4^TH 1926 the Grossdeutsche Jugendbewegung was officially renamed Hitler Jugend Bund der deutschen Arbeiterjugend, (Hitler Youth League of German Worker Youth). The HJ Fahrtenmesser, (Hike/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 presentation Leader’s dagger was introduced for wear by the ranks of Gefolgschaftsführer to Reichsjugendführer and the camp knife was relegated for wear by the ranks of Hauptgefolgschaftsführer and below. DJ Deutsche Jugend, (German Youth), members could also wear the HJ camp knife but only after successful completion of the appropriate tests. Originally the HJ camp knives had a blade inscription with HJ motto, "Blut und Ehre!", (Blood and Honor), inscribed in a facsimile of the HJ Reichsjugendführer Baldur von Schirach’s handwriting, but in August 1938 the blade inscription was abolished. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Post-1938 version HJ hike/camp knife without the blade motto. Roughly 5 1/2" long, drop forged steel, nickel/silver plated blade shows light to moderate surface spotting and sharpening scars. The reverse ricasso is well marked with stamped RZM logo with dual circular borders, the manufacturers contract code, M7/2", indicating manufacture by Emil Voos Solingen, and date, "1940". The original blackened leather washer is still intact. The hilt features a nickel/silver plated, steel, single upswept crossguard, stylized eagle head pommel and black bakelite grips. The nickel/silver plating to the hilt is retained about 80% with spots of wear to the base metal. The molded, black, diamond grooved, bakelite grips with dual dome headed, natural aluminum, retaining rivets are fully intact. The obverse grip has an imbedded enameled HJ diamond. The HJ diamond features red top and bottom quarters and white side quarters with a central canted black swastika. The diamond has the correct translucent red enamel with a pebbled field visible underneath. The enamel is complete and in good condition. The knife comes with its original magnetic sheet metal scabbard. The scabbard retains about 97% of its original, glossy black paint. The top edge of the scabbard has a rivetted on, vertical, dual-ply, blackened leather belt hanger intact. The hanger extends upward from the scabbard and has two other rivets, with one positioned near the center to hold the dual-ply leather together and the other positioned near the top edge to secure a horizontal retaining strap with a single, "Stocko", snap closure. The strap shows light surface cracking but the leather is still quite supple. Of Note: Although the HJ camp knife was the first officially sanctioned blade side arm the SA Dagger was the first officially sanctioned Dagger.

GRADE ***1/2                             PRICE $ SOLD