*German, WW2 — Hitler Youth Knife, 1939 Dated, by Carl Eickhorn, Solingen (RZM M7/66)*
A genuine Third Reich Hitler Youth (Hitlerjugend / HJ) knife, manufactured in 1939 by the well-known Solingen maker Carl Eickhorn. This is an interim-period blade showing both the Eickhorn squirrel trademark and the RZM code M7/66, together with the year ’39 stamped to the blade shoulder. The grip retains the correct red/white HJ enamel diamond with black swastika, mounted through the checkered black Bakelite grip plates. Steel hilt with nickel-plated finish, showing age-related wear. Original black-painted steel scabbard, with the finish also showing honest use.
This example follows the late-1930s pattern without the “Blut und Ehre!” motto — officially removed from HJ knife blades from 1938 onward.
Measurements: Blade length: 14cm (including ricasso), Overall length: 24.4cm
Markings:
Eickhorn Solingen maker logo (squirrel with sword)
RZM circular mark M7/66 (Carl Eickhorn)
39 date stamp to blade shoulder
Historical Note:
The Hitler Youth (Hitlerjugend) knife was officially introduced in 1933 as both a practical utility tool and a powerful symbol of membership, discipline, and commitment to National Socialist ideology. Early examples featured the etched motto “Blut und Ehre!” (“Blood and Honour”), but this was officially discontinued from production around 1938 as the knife shifted more toward a functional field item.
This example represents the short transitional period — circa 1938–39 — when knives could still display traditional maker trademarks alongside the new unified RZM codes that controlled all Nazi-era procurement and quality regulation. These dual-marked blades are particularly sought-after today, as they reflect a brief changeover phase in Hitler Youth equipment production.
Carl Eickhorn of Solingen was regarded as one of Germany’s leading edged-weapon manufacturers, renowned for their refined quality control, clear strike marks, and reliability. Their transitional HJ knives remain highly desirable among collectors for both brand prestige and historical significance.
*Condition*
A well-used but fully original example. Plated hilt fittings show wear and flaking, with age corrosion in places. Enamel diamond intact with mild wear. Blade has scratches and service-use marks but no major edge damage. Scabbard retains much of its wartime black paint with spots of loss and surface marks. A solid, collectible, combat-period HJ knife with desirable dual-marking. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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