fahrtenmesser hitlerjugend / HJ dagger

[deco06]

Hello,

I have a HJ dagger which is not the same as the ones I could see till now. I am not a specialist as I am collecting Orders and medals.
My dagger has not the same blade and espacially the upper part is flat without the roll at the top. The scabbard seems chrome plated where it should be painted in black. All parts are original and not taken apart.
The manufacturer is August Merten / Soligen Grafrath. The blade is 13,5 cm and the scabbard 14,5.

Do you think it could be an early or specific version ? I have heard there were also particular manufacturings.

Thanks and regards,
Georges.

[stingray]

Well your knife is the earlier version,but the blade was heavily buffed and grinded to this shape.
Even the motto is gone.

[deco06]

Thank you stingray but what do you mean by "earlier version". I thought the model without the motto was the 2° one (1938-1942) ....

[deco06]

Sorry stingray I didn't read all your answer. Well you think the motto has been scrapped off. OK.

[stingray]

Yes the motto should be there.
Your is early knife without ricasso made 1935-1936
After 37-38 transitional knives with the motto and after RZM 39 - 42 without motto.

[stingray]

and the scabbard should be black painted or anodized

[gerrit]

Stingray nailed it, grinded into this shape and polished afterwards so no Motto remained.
This is the earliest type scabbard 1933-35 it has only 1 scabbard spring ( front one)
other features:
Early Period 1933-1936:
•Thinner blades when compared to late knives
•Magnetic hilt
•A very low or no ricasso
•Maker marked with the name on the blade itself
•Motto

Cheers,
Ger

[deco06]

Thank you gerrit for the information. I better understand what is an early version.
Best regards, Georges.