Germany, HJ. An Early Member’s Knife, by Gebrüder Christians

(HJ Fahrtenmesser). An HJ member’s knife, measuring 25 cm in length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 13.5 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and lower edge. Acid-etched onto the obverse of the blade is an inscription of “BLUT UND EHRE!” (“BLOOD AND HONOUR!”). The reverse bears a maker’s mark of “CHRISTIANS, SOLINGEN”, topped by the firm’s logo. It sits securely within a one-piece, nickel-plated, magnetic steel hilt with a hooked quillon and intact black leather buffer pad. The handle grip is composed of two pieces of pebbled black bakelite, secured together with dual non-magnetic metal rivets. Inset into the obverse of the handle is an enameled HJ insignia, measuring 15 mm (w) x 25 mm (h). It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a black-painted magnetic metal shaft. Riveted to the reverse is a fully-intact black leather hanger, stitched into a loop for belt suspension. Issues consistent with age and use are evident, and include some running marks to the blade, loss of finish to the hilt, loosening and flecking of the handle insignia, some distortion of the scabbard interior spring catch which renders placement of the knife askew, and loss of scabbard paint. This early example from a desirable manufacturer remains in a better than very fine condition.