Early Hitler Youth Knife with Motto – Tiger

Product Description: This early Hitler Youth knife is a choice piece that shows traces of honest period wear and use. The blade is the typical early pattern with no reinforcement on the ricasso. It’s well marked, with the commercial type emblem of the desirable maker Tiger in Solingen, as well as “Gesetzl. Geschützt” indicating a legally protected design. The obverse of the blade has a nice, attractive “Blut und Ehre!” motto etching, with good original darkening. The blade is mostly clean, with some light patina in areas, and there is some light sharpening that likely dates from the period when this was originally in use. The leather buffer pad is present. The black grip plates on the handle remain intact, with no chips or cracks, and they show light wear and old, uncleaned patina, matching the metalwork. The Hitlerjugend diamond in the grip is undoubtedly original to the knife and has one small chip in the enamel. This hard to find early Hitler Youth knife is complete with its original scabbard. The steel scabbard body retains most of its original black paint and shows light wear. The black leather belt hanger and retaining strap with snap closure are intact, functional, and without damage. This is a sought-after Tiger made knife that has a great look. The condition rats as excellent plus.

Historical Description: The Hitler Youth Knife (Hitlerjugend Fahrtenmesser) was introduced in the summer of 1933, shortly after the Nazi seizure of power in Germany. It was produced by a multitude of manufacturers and could be purchased from authorized shops for a price of 4 Reichsmarks. It was used not only as a dress sidearm, but as a functional camping tool, and these were commonly sharpened by their original owners. The earliest examples bore the motto of the Hitler Youth, “Blut und Ehre!” (Blood and Honor), etched on the blade. The blades on these early knives were marked with commercial manufacturer logos. They had nickel silver handles, and anodized metal scabbards. The use of the etched motto was discontinued in August 1938. Later HJ knives had nickel plated steel handles, painted scabbards, and the maker logos were replaced with an RZM code along with the year of manufacture. There are also transitional types that still have the etched motto but have dates on the blade ricasso. Manufacture of these knives is believed to have ceased around 1942. All HJ knives have the diamond emblem of the Hitler Youth on the handle.

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