What Is a Hitlerjugend Knife Worth?

Updated: August 2026

An original Hitlerjugend (Hitler Youth) knife — an HJ-Fahrtenmesser, or HJ knife — is today worth, depending on the condition of the RZM diamond, the blade and any surviving motto, a guide value of roughly 260 to 700 euros. Pieces with noticeable wear, a reground blade or a damaged diamond sit at the lower end of the range. Examples with the fully legible motto "Blut und Ehre!" ("Blood and Honour!"), near-intact scabbard lacquer and a sought-after maker such as Eickhorn or Robert Klaas reach as much as 700 euros. Heavily damaged pieces, or those with replaced parts, we assess case by case.

Guide Values by Version and Condition

All figures are guide prices based on real sale and asking prices from German specialist dealers and a documented auction hammer price (as of August 2026). The diamond, the motto and the condition of the scabbard can make a difference of several hundred euros on an HJ knife — send us photos and we'll give you a concrete figure.

What pulls the value up: an undamaged, firmly seated diamond, a still-legible "Blut und Ehre!" motto (only produced up to August 1938), largely intact scabbard lacquer, and a sought-after, well-documented maker. Pieces with a replaced grip scale, replaced scabbard or a later-applied RZM mark we assess separately — for those we lack a solid market figure, so we can only give you a price after seeing photos.

Original or Fake?

The HJ knife was manufactured in very large numbers by dozens of licensed firms, and is correspondingly a frequent target for reproductions and post-war pieces dressed up as originals. Five features we check for:

1. RZM number on the ricasso. On an original, the root of the blade carries an RZM number in the M7/2 to M7/80 range. If any marking is missing, or a mark sits in an atypical place, that's a warning sign. Source: de.wikipedia.org (RZM-Nummernbereich M7/2 bis M7/80, u. a. Zwilling J.A. Henckels, Wüsthof, Puma), retrieved 2026-08-28
2. Production phase and motto must be consistent. Up to 1936 the knives carried only the maker's mark and the etched motto "Blut und Ehre!"; from 1936 to August 1938 the RZM number was added as well; after that, only the RZM number without the motto. A piece dated to 1939 or 1940 that still shows the motto is anachronistic and should be checked closely. Source: de.wikipedia.org (Devise „Blut und Ehre!“ bis August 1938 geätzt, danach entfällt sie), retrieved 2026-08-28
3. HJ diamond in the grip scale. The waffle-textured diamond sits firmly riveted into the black Bakelite or plastic scale. Cracks or chipping are usually a condition issue on an original, but can also point to inferior material on a modern reproduction — that's worth a close look.
4. Scabbard lacquer with uneven ageing. The original black lacquer of the metal scabbard ages with wear marks and rub points at the edges. A uniformly perfect, evenly glossy lacquer on a piece sold as contemporary points more towards re-lacquering or reproduction.
5. Material and weight. On an original, the blade, fittings and grip are made of nickel-plated zinc, steel and plastic to RZM specification. Reproductions often use different alloys or plastics, which shows up in the weight and the feel of the surface. Source: de.wikipedia.org (Material: vernickeltes Zink, Stahl, Kunststoff), retrieved 2026-08-28

If in doubt, we check the piece from your photos — that costs nothing and commits you to nothing.

A Brief Historical Background

The HJ-Fahrtenmesser was introduced in the summer of 1933, shortly after the Nazi seizure of power, for members of the Hitlerjugend and the Jungvolk. It was not a compulsory part of the kit, but was issued only after passing the "Pimpfenprobe" (a junior members' test).

Source: de.wikipedia.org, retrieved 2026-08-28

It was sold through licensed dealers for 4 Reichsmark and manufactured by dozens of firms, chiefly in Solingen — known makers include Zwilling J.A. Henckels, Wüsthof and Puma, each marked with an RZM number (Reichszeugmeisterei) between M7/2 and M7/80. Up to August 1938 the blade also carried the etched motto "Blut und Ehre!"; after that it was dropped, so this detail lets you narrow down a piece's approximate production period.

Source: de.wikipedia.org, retrieved 2026-08-28

It was worn at the left rear hip in a leather frog. After the war, part of the manufacturing tooling was repurposed for producing civilian scout knives for the Boy Scout movement, with the regime's symbols replaced by scouting badges.

Source: de.wikipedia.org, retrieved 2026-08-28

On the legal position: buying and selling original pieces from this period is legal in Germany. § 86a of the German Criminal Code (StGB) governs the public display of the symbols of unconstitutional organisations — the diamond and the motto fall under this. We therefore treat photos containing this symbolism discreetly and document every piece exclusively in the private setting of the valuation.

Selling Without Risk

We are a Spanish collectors' house buying throughout Germany. We buy for our own collection — with no dealer's mark-up. Concretely, that means: we don't have to factor in a resale margin, so we can pay you a collector's price.

Here's how it works:

1. Send photos via WhatsApp to +34 665 164 779 — blade with RZM mark, ricasso, grip scale with diamond, scabbard front and back. Two minutes, no obligation.
2. Free valuation within 24 hours. We tell you whether the piece is original and what we will pay for it.
3. Payment in cash, at the agreed price. We view larger collections and estates in person — anywhere in Germany.

You don't need to send anything before the price is set, and you don't have to sell if the offer doesn't suit you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is owning a Hitlerjugend knife legal?

Yes. Owning, buying and selling original pieces is legal in Germany. Only the public display of the symbolism is restricted (§ 86a StGB) — that plays no role in a discreet sale to a collectors' house.

How do I recognise an original HJ-Fahrtenmesser?

By the RZM number on the ricasso, a production phase consistent with the motto, a firmly seated diamond with a waffle texture, and a consistently aged scabbard. No single feature is enough on its own — we always check the piece as a whole and tell you the result free of charge.

What does the RZM number on the blade mean?

RZM stands for Reichszeugmeisterei, the licensing office that controlled manufacturers of National Socialist supply goods. The number identifies the maker — on the HJ knife it falls in the M7/2 to M7/80 range.

Why do some HJ knives have no "Blut und Ehre" motto?

Because the motto was only etched into the blade up to August 1938. Knives made after that carry only the RZM number. So the absence of the motto alone is not an authenticity problem — it's a dating feature.

What is an HJ-Fahrtenmesser with a damaged diamond worth?

Considerably less than a piece with an undamaged diamond — as a guide value, roughly 260 to 280 euros, depending on the blade and maker's mark. If the diamond is badly damaged or replaced, we assess the piece individually from your photos.

How quickly do I get my money?

Immediately after agreement: cash in hand on personal handover, or by bank transfer immediately after inspection if sent by post.

Sell Hitler Youth knife

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