Early HJ Knife by Wingen – D959

Have you tried to find a decent Hitler Youth knife with one of the blades that has the motto at a show or on a dealers site recently? Even if in well used condition they seem to sell rather quickly. Made only until 1938, those examples with the Blut und Ehre etch always draw collectors attention and rather quickly. Well, here is a pretty good example in this offering. The nickeled hilt is in exceptional condition on this little HJ, as the plating has held up strong at 99%. The same is true for the fantastic trimmed and fit checked grip plates. They are void of any damage and are tightly riveted to the spine. The all important HJ diamond is a beauty! It’s been expertly set just a hair below the Bakelite, which has no doubt protected the enamel surface of this emblem. The scabbard to this knife is in good condition. It remains straight, void of any splits, bends, or major damage. The black enamel like on many early SS dagger sheathes and HJ’s alike, has been touched up a little at some point. It’s hard to actually tell when, as it appears old overall shows plenty of age and spidering to it. Could have been done period by it’s owner, or sometime after. That aside, the scabbard comes with an excellent hanger in which the leather is all supple and intact. Additionally the horizontal hold down strap and snap functions fine. We conclude with the blade. It remains full length, void of any buffing, bends, chips, or tipping. Like most of these youth knives these edged weapons were used in the field by kids as scout knives, hence it shows that kind of age and wear. The surface is dull matte in color, and the cutting edge shows some sharpening which is not all that detracting. But oh what a fine dark burnished motto this blade has! Few makers produced HJ’s with this striking effect, and none better than the firm of Anton Wingen. On the reverse the little knight logo, the trademark of that renown edged weapon firm.     SOLD