Hitler Youth Knife – E.P.&S.

Product Description: This Hitler Youth knife is a great example that was definitely carried and used. It’s an early type, without reinforcement on the ricasso. The blade shows honest use wear, and some gray staining from age. It once had the early “Blut und Ehre” logo on the blade, though this is no longer legible due to heavy wear. The reverse of the blade has an attractive and deeply stamped commercial type E.P. & S. maker logo, indicating manufacture by the firm of E. Pack & Soehne, in Solingen. The handle also shows lots of use, with finish wear to the plated grip fittings and some enamel damage to the Hitler Youth organizational emblem in the grip. The black Bakelite grip plates are intact, with no cracks. The steel scabbard retains about 75 percent of the original black enamel paint finish, and shows patination from wear and age. The brown leather on the scabbard remains supple, and is complete, with an intact and functional snap. This Hitler Youth knife is a nice early one from a desirable maker. There is no doubt that this one spent time on a belt and was likely a prized and valued tool of a member of the Hitlerjugend.

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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