Germany, HJ. A Member’s Knife, Late-War Example, by Karl Robert Kaldenbach

(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 is marked with a Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) logos and maker code “M7/72” for Karl Robert Kaldenbach, Solingen-Grafrath. It sits securely within a nickel-plated zink alloy hilt with a hooked quillon and pommel, and with an intact blackened leather buffer pad covering the seam. Two pieces of pebbled black bakelite compose the handle grip, and are secured together with dual 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. Two rivets set in place near the throat retain the remnants of a black leather hanger which has been lost to time. Extensive issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include polishing to blade which has partially obscured the marks, total loss of nickel-plating to the hilt, a crack to the obverse handle grip, and some loss of scabbard paint (the latter in addition to the missing hanger). A late-war example in fair condition.