Germany, Third Reich. A Heer Dress Dagger and HJ Member’s Knife, Relic Condition

(Heer Bajonett und HJ Fahrtenmesser). A pair of relic condition bladed weapons, including:

1. A Heer dress bayonet, measuring 35 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 20 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and lower edge. A fuller runs the majority of the length of the upper edge of each side of the blade. It is unmarked with the exception of the classic “PUMA” logo of Lauterjung & Sohn, Solingen, on the reverse ricasso. The blade sits securely within a nickel-plated alloy hilt with a hooked quillon and pommel. The ricasso features a hollow insertion slot with a non-functional push-button spring release. The handle grip is composed of two pieces of pebbled black bakelite, secured together with dual magnetic metal rivets. It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a black painted magnetic metal shaft. Emanating from the side of the shaft is a downward-pointing hook for the accommodation of a frog. The throat retains a functional spring catch to firmly hold the bayonet in place during storage. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include oxidation and running marks throughout the blade, loss of nickel plating to the hilt with consequent oxidation, and loss of scabbard paint similarly resulting in oxidation. It remains in an overall fair condition.

2. An HJ Member’s Knife, measuring 26 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 14.5 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!”). As a transitional example, the reverse bears a maker’s mark of “GEBR. GRÄFRATH, SOLINGEN”, with a Reichszeigmeisterei (RZM) logo and maker code of “M7/30” for the same manufacturer, in turn situated above a date of “1936”. The blade sits securely within a nickel-plated magnetic metal hilt with a hooked quillon and pommel, with an intact black leather buffer pad covering the seam. A piece of pebbled black bakelite is riveted in place on the obverse of the hilt, and retains an enameled HJ insignia measuring 25 mm (h) x 15 mm (w). It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a black painted magnetic metal shaft. Riveted to the reverse of the shaft is a black leather strap, stitched into a loop for belt suspension, which retains a functional snap button to hold the knife in place during storage. Issues consistent with age and use are evident, and include minor tarnishing and running marks to the blade, some loss of nickel plating to the hilt, the loss of the reverse handle grip rendering one of the studs loose, and loss of scabbard paint with consequent surface oxidation. It remains in a very fine condition.