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Condition: Excellent
Maker: M7/36 – Horster
Pattern: RZM
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Product Description: This RZM Hitler Youth Knife is a very nice example. The steel blade is beautiful, with very bright luster. It has excellent original cross-graining, and only light surface patina in some areas. It’s maker marked on the reverse ricasso with the round “RZM” emblem and the maker code “M7/36” indicating manufacture by the firm of E. u. F. Hörster in Solingen. The leather buffer pad on the blade is intact. This HJ knife has a lovely handle, with complete and undamaged Bakelite grip plates. The inlaid Hitlerjugend diamond emblem retains all of the original enamel. The quillion and pommel are nickel plated, and show only light patina. This RZM Hitler Youth Knife is complete with its original scabbard. The scabbard retains nearly all of the original factory applied black paint finish, with some small, scattered marks. The leather belt strap and retaining loop is complete and intact, but has begun to show wear, with some losses to the surface. This Hitler Youth knife has outstanding visual appeal, and displays very well. The overall condition rates 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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