N22154 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, without the blade inscription, and its scabbard. The unsheathed knife, which is approximately 9 3/4" in overall length, has a nickel-silver plated metal hilt with a bird’s head pommel and an upswept cross guard. All of the plating is still bright, with minor edge wear and surface scratches. Doubly 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 rivets, alongside the lower of which is a small chip to the bakelite, is a 1" x 9/16", alloy and enamel 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. None of its original silver wash remains. The blackened leather washer between the cross guard and the blade is still intact. The 5 9/16" long, nickel-silver plated, single-edged blade has stamped to its reverse ricasso an RZM, "Reichszeugmeisterei" (National-materiel-control-office), logo, with, alongside it, a partially obscured manufacturer’s code and date. To the reverse of the blade itself is acid etched the squirrel logo of, as is indicated beneath and prefaced with "Original," "Eickhorn" of "Solingen." This trademark was used by that company from late 1941 onwards. Cross graining and scabbard runner marks are evident to both sides of the blade, which is otherwise still very bright. Its 5 3/4" long, sheet metal scabbard was finished with black enamel paint, most of which remains, although it has moderate surface scratching to its obverse and base. 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, blackened leather belt loop. The vertical loop, which extends 4" above the scabbard, has another large rivet at its half-way point, and one near its top, which secures a 9/16" wide, horizontal retaining strap with a snap button closure. The snap button and rivets have lost most of their blackening, and the leather is typically, lightly chafed and wrinkled, but is still supple.