Germany, HJ. A HJ Member’s Knife, by Hartkopf & Co.

(HJ Fahrtenmesser). A very well-preserved HJ member’s knife, measuring 255 mm long with the scabbard on, featuring a 137 mm-long nickel-silver plated magnetic metal blade, with a sharpened edge and tip. The obverse of the blade features an etched HJ motto of “Blut und Ehre!” (“Blood and Honour!”) that displays evidence of an attempt to erase. The obverse of the blade bears a clear makers mark of “Hartkopf & Co., Solingen”, along with the company’s dual devil head logo. The thick blackened leather washer at the crossguard is intact and sits tightly in its place. The crossguard consists of a rounded finger guard, with signature black bakelite grip plates on either side of the grip. The grips are held in place via two rivets with a HJ diamond insignia, constructed of multi-coloured enamels and measuring 13 mm (w) x 24 mm (h), embedded into the obverse of the grip. Accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of blackened magnetic metal with a black leather belt loop. The loop is closed by a functional magnetic metal snap button. The throat of the scabbard is held together by a single magnetic metal rivet and features a functional spring catch allowing the knife to remain securely in place during storage. The scabbard measures 245 mm in length, inclusive of the belt loop. In addition to the attempt to etch out the blade motto, there is tarnishing of the nickel-silver features and loss of paint evident to the scabbard. The knife is in an otherwise better than very fine condition.