Germany, HJ. A Knife, by Gustav Felix, c. 1940
(HJ Fahrtenmesser). Dated 1940. Measuring 255 mm long with the scabbard on, featuring a a 143 mm long brushed (magnetic) steel blade, with a sharpened edge and a slightly dinged tip. The blade is un-etched, but maker marked “RZM M7/28” for “Gustav Felix, Solingen” and dated “1940”, with light marks common to extraction and return to the scabbard. The thick blackened leather washer at the cross-guard is intact and sits tightly in its place. The cross-guard consists of a rounded finger guard, with signature black bakelite grip plates on either side of the grip that appears to be cracked on the non-insignia baring side. The grips are held in place via two rivets with a HJ diamond embedded into the obverse of the grip. Light to moderate surface marks ordain the hilt from period wear, but with the finish having dulled through time. The scabbard is constructed of black painted steel (magnetic) depicting moderate wear and loss of finish, with two coated metal springs on the interior of the scabbard, that hold the knife in place once returned to the scabbard. The leather scabbard hanger is constructed of thick black leather, featuring a snap-button closure to secure the knife into place. Overall, this HJ knife is a typical example of a well-used knife, in overall near very fine condition.

