Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice WWII German HJ leather Knife Belt, complete with the correct cast and bent aluminum Belt Buckle (Koppelschloß). It is embossed with the HJ motto Blut und Ehre (Blood and Honor). The buckle is in very good condition, which is surprising, as the aluminum used to manufacture these they typically don’t stand up well to wear and tear. Other than some wear in the middle of the logo, and small scratches, the exterior surface is very much intact. It is marked on the back with ((RZM)) and maker code M4 / 27, for Overhoff & Cie. of Lüdenscheid.
The thick black finished leather belt is in very good condition, and does not have any major cracking or wear issues. It measures 36” when fully extended, and does not have any extra holes or other modifications added. However, it does have information written on the inside, indicating when and where it was acquired:
Dec. 1944
From Germany
P.W. - B O T B
This would indicate that it was captured during the "Battle of the Bulge" during December 1944. This was the last major offensive attempted by Germany, and would have involved soldiers who had at one time been in the HJ, and possibly older members themselves. There is also what looks to be a faded serial number written on the belt as well, which could be a good research opportunity.
A very good example of an HJ Knife Belt with Buckle, captured during the Battle of the Bulge and ready to display!
AH believed German youth to be the future of his 3rd Reich. The HJ (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 (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