Germany, HJ. A Member’s Knife, by C.D. Schaaff

(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. Acid-etched onto the obverse of the blade is an inscription of “BLUT UND EHRE!” (“BLOOD AND HONOUR!”). A transitional example, the reverse of the blade bears both a maker’s mark of “C.D. SCHAAFF, SOLINGEN”, flanked by the firm’s fisherman logo, and a Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) logo with a code of “M7/56” for the same manufacturer. The blade sits securely within a nickel-plated magnetic metal hilt with a hooked quillon and pommel. Two pieces of pebbled black bakelite comprise the handle grip, with the obverse inset with 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. Riveted to the reverse of the shaft is a black leather strap, stitched into a loop for belt suspension, complete with an additional strap and buckle to firmly hold the knife in place during storage. The throat retains a functional spring catch to firmly hold the knife in place during storage. Issues consistent with age and use are evident, and includes running marks and tarnishing to the blade with nicks along the bottom edge, a large chip to the reverse handle grip resulting in the loss of approximately one-third of the bakelite, sporadic loss of the hilt’s nickel plating, some loss of scabbard paint, and throat friction which renders insertion and extraction of the knife difficult. It remains in a fair condition.