German WWII Hitler Youth Dagger by Eickhorn-This is a nice looking Hitler Youth dagger. The fittings retain approx. 90% of the original nickel silver plated finish. The black checkered grip plates are near excellent, as is the enameled HJ Diamond. The enamel is intact, and free of major scuffing and scratches. It fits tight into the grip. The steel scabbard retains the majority of its original black enamel paint. It does show some scuffing to the lower obverse but is in very good condition and remains dent free. The black leather buffer is in place under the crossguard. The blade is very good, it has a very deep, and nice clear RZM code M7/66 just under the crossguard with a date of 1942. This is the code for the maker Eickhorn. The blade is actually double marked, as you can see the famous Eickhorn squirrel logo on the reverse of the blade. This blade shows some slight sharpening which seems to be the norm for these blades. The black leather retaining strap is in place. This is a near excellent example. This will not last long!
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History: The Hitler Youth Knife (Hitlerjugend Fahrtenmesser) was introduced in the summer of 1933, shortly after the NSDAP 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. The manufacturing of these knives is believed to have ceased around 1942. All HJ knives have the diamond emblem of the Hitler Youth on the handle.