The HJ Knife That Started it All

[Steve Campbell]

Here's an HJ knife I picked up locally. Found it at an antique store and couldn't believe you could still buy things from that era. The rest is history. I'm pretty sure it's good but I just wanted to post it and see what everyone thought. What's the story on the maker? Common or harder to find? Thanks, Steve

[Steve Campbell]

This was my first TR item.

[Steve Campbell]

The maker mark.

[Steve Campbell]

The slogan is worn but readable.

[Steve Campbell]

The handle. Thanks for looking.

[Santi]

Steve,
There are certain things to notice on this HJ knife.
Firstly, its a transitional knife, because it has the motto. The motto was taken out from the knifes in mid 1938. It seems your knife is more hard to find example, because it was made between january and (lets say..) june..july of 1938.
Also notice the lack of ricasso. The ones which are famous for the lack of ricasso or very low ricasso are early knifes, yours is not early, its transitional, which is also a bit weird.
It looks like a original example
M7/29 corresponds to Klittermann & Moog G.mb.H. , Haan . I couldnt tell you if this marker is common or rare.
Regarding the scabbard, i dont know much about them, but IMO it has been repainted ( i could be wrong)
Cheers

[Steve Campbell]

Thanks for the response. I don't know if the scabbard has been repainted. In hand it doesn't look to be, but I haven't another to compare it to.

[Skipper Greenwade]

Looks to be an original knife. Condition could be better, but you gotta love your first dagger!

Klitterman & Moog is not a common maker, but the condition is really what would determine the value of this one.

Best,
Skip

[Steve Campbell]

I paid $100 Canadian, which is about $85 USD about 2 years ago. Not bad, eh?

[Santi]

I paid $100 Canadian, which is about $85 USD about 2 years ago. Not bad, eh?

Not bad at all It was a great deal for a rare example.

[Steve Campbell]

It's rare? Really. Strange because I got this at a local place where I've gotten a few other items at different times. One was a Coastal Artillery badge marked RS which someone told me was rare and a HJ belt buckle that someone said had a hard to find combination of maker marks that collectors of those things would want. Also got a Railroad belt buckle which you don't see at all and an NSKK cap badge for a good deal, among other things. These were all seperater items, not from the same lot. Wild really.

[Santi]

You have been very lucky lol

Like ive told you...
The things that make it a rare example are:
1) It has motto and was made in 1938. It is a very desirable piece because that was the year in which the motto "But und Ehre!" ("slogan") was taken out from knifes (not produced with the motto anymore) So your knife was made between 1 january to mid 1938...lets say ... june, july.
2) It doesnt have a ricasso (not common in transitional examples, but in early ones)
3) And, like Skip told you, the marker is not a common one.

Regarding the scabbard, i sent a pm to Skip asking what he thought of it, and here is his response:
" It actually looks like a blued/anodized finish, not paint, to me."


Cheers

[Steve Campbell]

I'm looking at the scabbard right now and it doesn't look painted. Thanks for all that info. What would the value of this knife be? Not that I'm selling it. There also appears to be a maker mark on the leather portion of the scabbard. It's LS with an oakleaf or something between the letters. Any ideas?

[Santi]

I'm looking at the scabbard right now and it doesn't look painted. Thanks for all that info. What would the value of this knife be? Not that I'm selling it. There also appears to be a maker mark on the leather portion of the scabbard. It's LS with an oakleaf or something between the letters. Any ideas?

Steve,
Here you can see a 1938 HJ knife with motto and the scabbard:

http://www.lakesidetrader.com/pics/HJ-117d.jpg

He is asking 425 dollars.
I would imagine yours could be around 325 - 374. Although the motto and the marker's mark are not in the best shape, the overall condition of the knife is fine, and also remember that your knife is from a rare marker and it doesnt have a ricasso. So my guess would be it could be around 325 - 375 US dollars (Knife only, without the scabbard)

Sorry, i cant help you with the scabbard, i dont know much about them.

[SwordFish]

Here's where my addiction to the edged weapons started. This was cleaned about 4 years..maybe 3 years ago. It's re-patina'd signifigantly since then.