Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great early HJ Fahrtenmesser (trip knife) marked on the blade by blade by the desirable maker Lauterjung & Sohn PUMA-Werk of Solingen. This early HJ Knife is a very good example of the type, showing only light wear and oxidation to the knife. The plating on the steel hilt is still mostly present, with just a few areas of wear through and light oxidation. It does look like the rear of the pommel was used to hammer on items, which resulted in a lot of tiny dents.

The Bakelite grip plates are closely checkered and in excellent condition, retained by nickel rivets with dressed obverse heads. The HJ insignia is also in very good condition with the original plating worn down to the brass base metal, and with the enamel fully intact. The bakelite shrinks slightly over the years, which is why the emblem on this example is sunken in to the bakelite, confirming authenticity.

The blade of this example is in great condition with a bright finish, and is typical of the early period up until 1936. The acid-etched motto Blut und Ehre! (Blood and Honor!) is present, and still deeply etched, with a lot of the factory darkening still retained. It has a thinner blade with no raised ricasso, and also no RZM codes. The blade has definitely been cleaned over the years, but the original factory final grind cross grain is still faintly visible on both sides. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The blade has been sharpened, but still retains the original shape well.

On the rear of the blade, there is a clear Puma's Head Logo over PUMA in a diamond over SOLINGEN, the trademark logo of Lauterjung & Sohn, Puma-Stahlwarenfabrik / Puma - Werk of Solingen, Germany, the legendary "City of Blades". This is a known producer of SS, SA, and NSKK daggers during the Pre-WWII period and after. This company was originally founded on a small scale in 1796, Nathanael Lauterjung officially opened a cutlery and knife making workshop in Solingen during 1855. After his death, the name was changed and registered as "Puma-Werk", to avoid confusion with the other Lauterjung-owned workshops in Solingen. For more information, please see J. Anthony Carter's work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

The design of the knife is registered with the German trademark office, indicated by the GES. GESCHÜTZT stamped under the trademark logo, which is short for Gesetzlich Geschützt (Protected by Law). The original leather blade buffer is still present and in very good shape.

The scabbard shell is the typical tapered example and is in lovely condition. It looks like the finish became worn during the period, and was repainted, as we can see brush strokes in the black enamel paint. It now shows crazing and checking overall, so if it was repainted, it was definitely period. There is a small dent on the lower rear, and a few scratches, but it really is in great shape with lovely look. The leather belt loop is present with an intact securing strap and functional snap. It is in very good condition, supple and retaining the finish very well.

A very nice HJ Knife with a great early pattern blade in very good collectible condition with a lovely scabbard!

Approximate Measurements:
Blade Length: 5 3/8"
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife.
Overall length: 9 5/8”
Crossguard: 2”
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!