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Hitler believed German youth to be the future of his 3rd Reich. The Hitler Youth (Hitler Jugend)was formed officially in 1935, and with the exception of Nazi ideology indoctrination was very similar to the Boy Scouts. Beginning at about the age of ten years, both boys (Hitler 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 swastika 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.

HYK - 001 - 27106 Early Hitler Youth Knife with Motto by Puma

This early production Hitler Youth Knife has an outstanding nickel plated hilt. The plating is still bright, and looks to be nearly 100%. There is just a slight bare spot, about the size of a piece of rice, just on the surface under the retainer loop leather section. Other than this, though, the hilt is pristine. The grip plates are the early fine checkered bakelite. They, too, are in choice condition, and are retained by nickel rivets having dressed heads on the obverse. There is a good Hitler Youth insignia in the grip. Other than just one little spot below the 7 o’clock leg of the swastika, the enamel is perfect. It has fine colors of red, white, silver, and black. The scabbard of this example is straight throughout. It has outstanding original black paint. Other than some minor attic crazing here and there, and just a few normal splotches, this paint is in near mint condition, and rates at about 99% coverage. The leather loop is a darker brown color, and it is in good choice supple condition, together with the retainer loop with working snap. The blade of this example is also a fine one. It is the style that has no ricasso, and also has an etched motto on the obverse. There are still vague signs of some graining in the surfaces. There is a little bit of light smudge across the blade, but it still grades at excellent, plus, plus, to near mint. There is no sharpening on this example. The motto has approximately 70% of the original darkening in the backgrounds. The reverse of the blade is stamped with a diamond, and inside of this figure is a cat’s head with the firm’s name, “Puma”, below. Below the diamond is the location town and the patent pending words, “Solingen, Ges.Geschützt”. The blade is protected by the in-place leather washer. This is a fine Hitler Youth Knife, which would grade higher, and would be priced another $200 or $300 more, if the grip insignia were totally perfect. A bargain here! Excellent, Plus, Plus 27106 $895.00

HYK - 002 - 26476 - Hitler Youth Knife RZM M7/13

This Hitler Youth knife is made of the later pot metal base, having a nickel plated surface. The nickeling is still pretty good throughout, except it is beginning to develop a couple of cracks in the surfaces, here and there. The cracks do not look as though they are going to spread any further, but nonetheless, they are there. The plating, although having a little bit of underbubbling, is also still all there. The grip plates of this example, at first glance, appear to be crisp, but the keen eye will see that there is also a crack in both the obverse example at the top rivet, and the reverse example, just below this rivet. These cracked grip plates appear to have been repaired, most likely with the use of some epoxy to keep them in place. This is a shame, but if you’re just looking at this piece, you cannot see it from a small distance. The grip plates are retained by nickel plated rivets, having dressed heads on the obverse. The Hitler Youth insignia is nicely placed in the center, and has perfect enamel. This insignia features the bright colors of red, white, gold, with a black mobile swastika in the center. The scabbard of this example is a nice straight one. It has very choice original black paint. This paint is in near full mint condition. The leather strap with retainer loop is a black color, and is the later type leather that we see. The retainer loop looks as though it could have been replaced, as it is slightly thinner than the usual type. It is complete, though, with a working snap. The blade of this piece is extremely nice. This blade is bright, and has all of the original factory graining in its surfaces. In fact, I believe that this blade is as close to mint as you will see. The reverse of the blade is etched with an open double RZM circle. Below the circle is the code for the Arthur Schuttlhofer firm, “M7-13”. This blade has a ricasso, and has been protected by an in-place leather washer. It is a shame about the broken and repaired grip plates, but the job that was done is definitely okay, and a good restoration for this knife. This knife has too many nice things going for it, for the grips not to have been properly repaired. A nice example here, if you can stand the repair. It is priced accordingly.
Excellent, Plus (26476) $595.00

HYK - 003 - 27245 - HITLER YOUTH KNIFE RZM M7/83 (RICHARD PLUMACHER)

This Hitler Youth knife is a fine looking example and is in very collectible condition. The hilt plating is still mostly bright throughout. The only place where it shows any age is in the area that was covered by the leather strap. This is normal for these pieces, as the leather probably traps some moisture beneath it. At any rate, this plating is still nice and bright and really looks good, being close to mint. The grip plates are the black Bakelite checkered type and they are in perfect condition. These grip plates are retained by nickel rivets which have dressed heads on the obverse. The Hitler Youth insignia is nicely placed in the grip. This insignia is totally perfect throughout its enameled surfaces of red, white, gold and black swastika. A very fine hilt here! The scabbard of this example is equally as nice. The scabbard is straight throughout, being the steel tube variety having black painted surfaces. The reverse of this scabbard is nearly in full mint condition. The obverse shows a few scratches from carrying time, but this also is in outstanding condition, being about 99%. It is rare to see Hitler Youth scabbards in this good of a condition. Attached to the scabbard is a fine brown leather belt loop and retainer loop. This leather is still pristine and remains supple and in choice condition. The retainer loop has a fine working snap. This snap still has all the dark brown covering over its outer surfaces. The blade of this example is the style without motto. The blade, however, is still in its original shape with no sharpening or problems. It is just a little bit gray on the surfaces, but a little cleaning might brighten it up quite a bit. The small ricasso is stamped on the reverse with an open RZM circle and the code “M 7/83". The original leather washer is in place. This is a really nice Hitler Youth knife. Near Mint. $695.00

HYK - 004 - 24819 - HITLER YOUTH KNIFE WITH MOTTO - GOTTLIEB HAMMESFAHR

The hilt of this Hitler Youth example is in fine condition. It is one of the earlier steel base types and it has excellent nickel plated surfaces. The nickeling is still bright and covers nearly 100%, failing only a little bit in the area which is covered by the leather retainer strap. Fine plating here, though. The grip plates are the black checkered type and they are in perfect condition. They are retained by nickel rivets having finished heads on the obverse. The Hitler Youth motto is in choice condition and is the type that wiggles a little bit to the finger. This enamel appears to be all there and looks great with its colors of red, white, gold and the black swastika in the center. The scabbard of this example is in excellent, straight condition. The reverse black paint is about 98% and really looks good. The obverse is somewhat less, but still has excellent original paint, wearing only near the tip area. Attached to the scabbard is a fine black belt loop retainer loop combination. This leather is still supple and in fine condition. The reverse of the leather is stamped with the maker mark which features an oak leaf and the letter “l” on either side of the leaf. The retainer loop has a good working snap, having about half of the original coloring still remaining on the button surfaces. The blade of this example is the style with short ricasso. There is some mild sharpening that is noticeable towards the end of the blade but it is not bad and has not altered the shape. There is also a little bit of edge sharpening, but this is to be expected with these knives. This blade is still in good condition and probably would come up a bit brighter with some semi-chrome polish. It still looks pretty good and the motto is very evident, having about 70% - 80% of its original backgrounding. This blade grades at about excellent plus. The reverse is stamped with the pyramid figure having a plus sign in the middle. The firm’s name and location along with the patent pending marks are stamped to the right of the pyramid “Gottlieb Hammesfahr/Solingen, Foche/Ges. Gesch.”. The original leather washer is in place on this blade. A fine mid-period Hitler Youth example here with motto. These are getting very difficult to locate in any kind of condition. Excellent Plus. $795.00

HYK - 006 - 26173 - Unusual Hitler Youth Knife with Motto by E.P.&S.

The Pack Company made a unique Hitler Youth knife, which is much different from other producers. In fact, it resembles a bayonet more than it does a Youth knife. This example shows some overall age discoloration, but it is all there, and is a very rarely seen variation. The hilt area is of steel base construction. The pommel is slightly different from other Youth knives, in that the eagle head beak is much more prominent, just like a bayonet would be. The lower quillon crossguard is the same as normally seen. The nickel plating has mostly gone from this piece, and it has a dull brown patination over the hilt parts. The grip plates are an outstanding black checkered bakelite. This bakelite still remains crisp. Just like other products made by this company, the plates are retained by rivet and spanner hardware, meaning that the plates could be taken off. Strange as it may seem, the rivets still retain their perfect nickel plating, as do the spanners. The Hitler Youth insignia is in perfect condition and wiggles nicely. This insignia features red, white, gold, and black swastika enamel. It really looks good against the darkness of this hilt. The scabbard is a standard Hitler Youth type, being of tube steel. It appears as though it had a blue finish rather than paint, although most of the blue seems to be gone. The scabbard has a dull dark patination across its surfaces, matching that of the hilt. There is a good black leather belt retainer loop section, and the retainer is complete with a working snap. The blade has some dark spots in its surfaces, but it still retains its original shape. The motto is on the obverse, and is still quite visible, having about 20% to 30% of the original background darkening. This blade could be cleaned up some, as the dark spots are really stains not rust. This blade only grades at about excellent. The reverse ricasso has the stamped hammering Siegfried figure, and to the right of this, is the firm’s initials and location, “E.P.S., Solingen”. A fine example here for the Hitler Youth “type” collector out there. Rarely seen variation. Excellent (26173) $995.00

HYK - 008 - 27076 - EARLY HITLER YOUTH KNIFE WITH MOTTO - GOTTLIEB HAMMESFAHR

This early Hitler Youth knife is not in good condition, but it does have some excellent aspects about it and is a good filler piece or an excellent example for someone on a budget just getting started. The hilt fittings are the early solid steel type reflecting nickel plated finish. The plating has worn on the pommel area around both sides of the section covered by the leather grip loop. There is also wear to the plating around the center of the quillon area. This plating overall is about 70% - 80%. The grip plates are the very early finely checkered Bakelite. These plates are retained by solid nickel rivets having dressed heads on the obverse. The grip plates are in perfect condition and have an excellent Hitler Youth enameled insignia. The enamel is perfect to the red, white, copper and black swastika areas. The scabbard of this piece is straight throughout and has original paint. The paint shows age and lifting on the obverse area and is a little bit better on the reverse. This paint rates at approximately 85%. The leather carrying assembly is there with the retainer loop and working snap. The retainer loop did have a break beginning in the leather and it has been repaired nicely with a sleeve piece of leather glued beneath. This seems to work well. Overall, the leather throughout this hanger shows age, but is still serviceable. The early blade is the style without ricasso. It does have the motto visible on the obverse area. It is slightly faint, but still can be seen. The blade has been extensively sharpened, having some of the sharpening going up into the lower and center areas of the blade. The reverse is stamped with the three-line factory name, location and patent pending “Gottlieb Hammesfahr/Solingen Foche/Ges. Gesch.”. To the left of this stamping is the pyramid with a plus sign in the obverse area. The blade leather washer has also gone to time. A real example here, showing quite a bit of age and usage, but it is, what it is.Good Only. $150.00(#041408)

HYK - 010 - 26820 - EARLY HITLER YOUTH KNIFE WITH MOTTO

This Hitler Youth knife is one of the initial production types which has the distinct bird head silhouette, similar to what we would see with a bayonet. In looking at some of my photograph collection, I do see early Hitler Youth leaders wearing Hitler Youth knives with this bird head feature and it is possible that this was the type that was designated for leaders. It also may be that it was just an early version. At any rate, this is a great HJ knife for serious “type” collectors. The steel base of this hilt is very heavy and of quality metal. It is nickel plated and the plating is still nearly 100% throughout. The grip plates are the early heavily checkered Bakelite type. They are retained with nickel rivets having dressed heads on the obverse and a good attempt at dressing on the reverse. These grip plates are in good condition. The original Hitler Youth insignia has a crack and missing piece of enamel up at the top quadrant of the diamond. There is also a small portion of the white enamel to the left of the swastika which is missing. The rest, though, is all there and still in good condition. This HJ insignia is the style with a coppery color border as well as the metal surrounding the mobile black swastika. It is a shame that the HJ insignia is flawed but, nevertheless, this is an extremely rare piece here. The scabbard of this example has a few small ripple style dents, but it is nothing that is bad. This steel tube scabbard has excellent paint on the reverse, whereas the obverse shows quite a bit of usage as well as missing paint at the tip area. There is a heavy-duty brown leather belt loop with retainer. The retainer loop has a good brown working snap. The blade of this example is the style that does not have ricasso. This is the earliest form. This blade has a single edge and still retains its original shape. It has been sharpened, but most of the sharpening is confined to the edge, although there is a little bit of scarring that runs up into the motto slightly. The blade is also beginning to turn gray but it is not too bad. There is a small amount of graining which still appears in the surfaces. The motto “Blut und Ehre!” is still very clear and has about 80% of the original darkening in the backgrounds. The reverse of the blade is stamped “E & F Hörster Solingen”. Beneath this, it is stamped with the patent pending marks “Ges. Geschützt”. This blade grades at only excellent to maybe excellent plus. The original leather washer is in place. A very rare Hitler Youth variation. Excellent. $995.00

HYK - 011 -27161 Hitler Youth Knife RZM M7/38 (Robert Klaas)

This Hitler Youth Knife is in good overall condition, showing some usage and some minor age. The hilt is in excellent condition, having fine nickel plating. This nickeling is still 100% throughout, and also has good original factory brightness. The grip plates are the early, finely checkered bakelite. They are in perfect crisp condition, and they are retained by steel rivets, having dressed heads on the obverse. In the center of the obverse grip, is a fine Hitler Youth insignia. This insignia wiggles, and features perfect enamel to the red, white, gold, and black swastika designs. The scabbard of this piece is in good straight condition, and its original black paint is showing age, and some missing spots here and there. The reverse is better than the obverse, and overall this scabbard paint is probably about 70% to 75%. The black leather hanger is all there, to include the small retaining ring loop with working snap. This leather shows age, but it is still serviceable. The blade of this example is the plain type without motto. It is in nice condition, still being bright and showing only mild usage. It has edge sharpening, but it does not show at all. The blade is in the good, original shape and is the style with ricasso. This blade easily grades in excellent plus plus condition. The reverse ricasso is stamped with a single open RZM circle with the code to the right of it “M7/38”. The original black leather blade washer is in place. A nice example here in collectible condition. Excellent Plus. $450.00

HYK - 012 -27165 – HITLER YOUTH KNIFE WITH MOTTO – PUMA, RZM M/27

This Hitler Youth knife has fairly nice plating throughout the hilt area. There is a little bit of rub through on the plating at the usual part where the leather retainer strap crosses the plated surfaces. It is not bad however and, overall, this plating is probably about 95%. The grip plates are a good early style Bakelite with fine checkering. These plates are retained by nickel plated steel rivets having dressed heads on the obverse. The obverse grip has a good Hitler Youth insignia. It has fine coloring to the enamel, being red, white, gold and with black swastika. The enameling is in perfect condition. The scabbard of this example is straight throughout. It has excellent black paint showing mild usage here and there, but still the paint is at least 95%. There is a black leather combination belt loop and retainer strap with good, working snap. This leather is in excellent condition throughout and is still extremely sound. The blade of this example is the style with motto and short ricasso. The motto is still nice and crisp in the surfaces with about 90% of the background still intact. The blade itself is also still fairly bright. It appears as though someone along the line, though, did sharpen the blade. It is not that the sharpening is bad; it is just that the blade itself has been narrowed down to look more like a stiletto shape than the original Hitler Youth shape. This takes away from the blade somewhat but, since it is still fairly bright and has a pretty good motto, I think it is something that most collectors can live with. The reverse of the blade shows a little bit more sharpening signs than the obverse. It is stamped with the Puma diamond and the cat head is inside as well as the four-letter name of the firm. Below the diamond is the location town of “Solingen” and the patent pending words “ges. Geschutsz”. The ricasso is etched with a small single open circle having the RZM inside. Next to this is the code “M7/27" and below this is the date that this example was produced “1938". The original leather blade washer has gone to time. Overall, not a bad knife here and still in good, collectible condition. It is getting difficult to find these motto-etched types. Excellent Plus Plus. $695.00