Transitional Hitler Youth Knife – Eickhorn

Product Description: This transitional Hitler Youth Knife is a very appealing, representative example of this type. It shows honest wear from use, and some traces of age. The blade is decent, with some graying on both sides. It has been sharpened in the past, as is typical for these. It’s well marked, with the commercial type “squirrel” logo of the firm of Eickhorn in Solingen, as well as the round RZM logo and the maker code “M7/66” for Eickhorn. These markings are dark, and they pop nicely against the light color of the blade. The ricasso is stamped with “41” indicating manufacture in 1941. The original leather blade buffer pad is intact. The handle on this one is very attractive. There is no damage to the Bakelite grip panels. The Hitlerjugend diamond emblem retains all of the original enamel, and shows some light wear, with a typical, light wiggle. The nickel plating on the metal parts of the handle shows some wear, with some scattered small marks and a heavy patina. This transitional Hitler Youth Knife is complete with its original scabbard. The scabbard retains nearly all of the original black paint, with scattered light marks. The leather strap remains complete and sound and is mostly pliable. The snap fastener on the retaining strap is functional. This is a nice piece, that remains in excellent condition.

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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