Germany, HJ. A Member’s Knife, by Artur Schüttelhöfer

(HJ Fahrtenmesser). An HJ member’s knife, measuring 25.5 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 14 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and lower edge. The reverse bears a Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) logo and maker’s code of “M7/13” for Artur Schüttelhöfer, Solingen. It sits securely within a nickel-plated non-magnetic metal alloy hilt with a hooked quillon and pommel, with an intact black leather buffer pad covering the seam. The handle grip is composed of two pieces of pebbled black bakelite, with the obverse inset with an enameled HJ insignia measuring 15 mm (w) x 25 mm (l). It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a black painted magnetic metal shaft. Riveted the reverse is a blackened leather strap stitched into a loop for belt suspension. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include running marks and tarnishing to the blade, sporadic loss of nickel plating to the hilt, loosening of the hilt, loss of scabbard paint resulting in surface oxidation, and fatigue of the leather strap. It remains in a very fine condition.