A superb original Anton Wingen Hitler Youth knife manufactured at Solingen in 1938 and displaying an exceptionally desirable combination of period markings.
The reverse blade carries both the large RZM M7/51/1938 mark and the separate ANTON WINGEN JR. SOLINGEN armoured-knight trademark. Meanwhile, the obverse retains the original acid-etched “Blut und Ehre!” Hitler Youth motto.
Complete with its black chequered grips, enamel HJ diamond, nickel-plated hilt, original black steel scabbard and leather belt hanger.
€ 1.295
1 in stock
This original Anton Wingen Hitler Youth knife represents an excellent late transitional example of the Model 1933 HJ Fahrtenmesser.
Its most important feature appears on the blade.
One side retains the familiar:
motto.
In contrast, the reverse carries both Anton Wingen’s traditional commercial trademark and the manufacturer’s later RZM identification.
That combination provides an unusually complete record of the maker and period of manufacture.
The close-up photographs clearly establish the manufacturer as:
SOLINGEN
Below the name appears the firm’s distinctive armoured-knight trademark.
Alongside it, the blade carries:
M7/51
1938
This identification is particularly strong because both markings occur on the same original blade.
Therefore, there is no need to infer the maker from construction alone.
Specialist reference material confirms that M7/51 was the RZM code allocated to Anton Wingen Jr. of Solingen.
An exceptionally close example survives in the Lakesidetrader archive.
That knife is catalogued specifically as:
“Transitional Hitler Youth Knife by RZM M7/51 1938.”
Lakesidetrader identifies the manufacturer as Anton Wingen Jr. of Solingen.
More importantly, its blade also combines:
The archive describes the motto and RZM marks as dark and crisply acid etched. It also places this configuration within the transitional period of HJ knife manufacture.
Lakesidetrader – Anton Wingen M7/51 1938 Transitional HJ Knife
This is currently one of the strongest direct comparisons for the present knife.
The 1938 date has considerable collector importance.
Early HJ Fahrtenmesser blades carried the organisation’s Blut und Ehre! motto.
However, production changed as RZM control became increasingly standardised.
Lakesidetrader places transitional HJ knives between 14 September 1935 and 19 August 1938. These examples combine a ricasso and RZM marking with features inherited from earlier production.
The HJ Research Forum also records the removal of the motto during 1938 as one of the principal changes in Fahrtenmesser development.
Therefore, a knife dated 1938 that still retains Blut und Ehre! represents the final phase of motto-bearing production.
That makes the present example considerably more interesting than a standard later HJ knife.
The obverse blade carries:
The flowing script remains bold and immediately visible.
Unlike many heavily worn HJ knives, the inscription has not disappeared through repeated polishing or sharpening.
The motto sits correctly across the broad central portion of the blade.
Furthermore, its placement corresponds with documented original examples.
The phrase means:
and became closely associated with the Hitler Youth organisation.
The additional K & Co. Solingen photograph provides a useful comparison for genuine motto-bearing HJ knife production.
K & Co., identified in specialist research with E. Knecht & Co. of Solingen, manufactured genuine HJ knives carrying the Blut und Ehre! motto. Surviving examples also use the firm’s twin-stag-head trademark.
That photograph should therefore be used as a motto and period-manufacturing comparison only.
It is not the manufacturer of the present knife.
The present knife is conclusively marked:
The combination of two maker systems makes this example particularly attractive.
The older commercial identification consists of:
Anton Wingen Jr.
Armoured knight
Solingen
Meanwhile, the RZM system records:
M7/51/1938
This dual marking illustrates the transition from traditional Solingen commercial branding towards RZM-controlled political equipment manufacture.
Collectors frequently refer to such pieces as transitional HJ knives.
Consequently, the markings themselves provide an important historical feature rather than simply identifying the factory.
An independent museum reference strengthens the identification.
The Vrijheidsmuseum in the Netherlands records an original German Hitler Youth Fahrtenmesser in its collection specifically marked:
That museum record independently confirms the existence of surviving period HJ knives with precisely this Anton Wingen code and year combination.
Vrijheidsmuseum – Hitler Youth Fahrtenmesser M7/51/38
This provides an especially useful institutional comparison.
The blade remains one of the strongest features of this Anton Wingen Hitler Youth knife.
A substantial amount of the original bright finish survives.
In addition, the blade retains visible longitudinal finishing marks.
Only modest age-related handling traces appear.
The point remains well formed.
Likewise, the cutting edge does not show the destructive reshaping frequently encountered on heavily used HJ knives.
Most importantly, the motto remains clearly defined.
The reverse manufacturer’s markings also retain exceptional clarity.
Two black composition grip plates form the handle.
Deep diamond-pattern chequering covers their exposed surfaces.
The pattern remains crisp and sharply defined.
Furthermore, the scales sit tightly against the hilt.
Metal rivets secure the grips in the standard manner.
No distracting major cracks or losses can be seen in the supplied photographs.
The centre of the obverse grip contains the enamel HJ diamond.
Its design incorporates:
The enamel remains particularly attractive.
Colour remains strong, while the badge sits correctly within the shaped recess in the grip.
This is an important condition point because damaged, replaced or missing HJ diamonds substantially affect the value of surviving Fahrtenmesser.
The hilt retains the familiar early HJ configuration.
A bird’s-head pommel forms the upper end.
At the opposite end, the guard curves downward into the characteristic rounded quillon.
Much of the nickel-plated finish survives.
Small marks and areas of natural toning remain visible.
However, the hilt has escaped the extensive plating loss often found on heavily carried examples.
The overall preservation is therefore above average.
The original black-painted steel scabbard remains with the knife.
Its body appears straight.
Moreover, much of the black finish survives.
Light contact marks and natural age wear can be seen across the surface.
These features remain consistent with genuine use and storage.
Importantly, the scabbard has not been heavily over-restored.
The surviving finish therefore complements the honest condition of the knife.
The scabbard retains its leather belt hanger.
Black leather forms the principal outer surface.
Meanwhile, exposed areas on the reverse reveal the naturally lighter brown interior.
The retaining strap and press stud also remain present.
Age-related creasing appears throughout the leather.
However, the hanger remains substantially intact.
Complete HJ knives retaining the original hanger remain more desirable than examples from which the suspension has disappeared.
The market contains many ordinary Hitler Youth knives.
Nevertheless, this example combines several features that advanced collectors actively seek.
These include:
Finding all of these characteristics together is considerably more difficult than locating a standard late-war HJ knife.
The supplied photographs provide a highly coherent authentication profile.
First, the RZM designation is correct for Anton Wingen Jr.
Next, the separate commercial trademark also identifies Anton Wingen.
Furthermore, the 1938 date fits the final motto-bearing transitional period.
The knife also has the expected:
In addition, an almost identical Anton Wingen M7/51/1938 motto-bearing HJ knife is documented by Lakesidetrader.
A museum collection independently records another HJ knife carrying the M7/51/38 designation.
Taken together, these features provide strong evidence consistent with an original 1938 Anton Wingen transitional HJ Fahrtenmesser.
Overall condition is very good to excellent.
The blade remains especially impressive.
Both the motto and manufacturer’s markings are exceptionally clear.
Meanwhile, the nickel hilt retains strong finish.
Black grip scales show little significant damage.
Likewise, the enamel diamond remains attractive.
The scabbard retains substantial original paint.
Finally, the complete leather hanger displays honest ageing without compromising its appearance.
No aggressive cleaning is recommended.
Polishing the blade or hilt could remove original finishing characteristics and reduce collector value.
Current specialist-market examples show substantial variation according to condition.
A currently advertised Anton Wingen M7/51/1938 HJ knife is priced at approximately €695. However, ordinary examples may lack the strong motto, condition or complete presentation of this piece.
Lakesidetrader’s archived M7/51/1938 example confirms that a high-grade motto-bearing transitional knife represents a distinctly stronger collector configuration.
Therefore, this example deserves a meaningful premium over an average worn M7/51 knife.
Item: Hitler Youth Fahrtenmesser
Model: Model 1933
Production type: Transitional
Manufacturer: Anton Wingen Jr.
Location: Solingen
Commercial trademark: Armoured knight
RZM category: M7
RZM maker: M7/51
Date: 1938
Full blade marking: RZM M7/51/1938
Blade motto: Blut und Ehre!
Grip: Black chequered composition
Grip insignia: Enamel HJ diamond
Hilt: Nickel-plated steel
Guard: Curved quillon
Scabbard: Black-painted steel
Hanger: Original leather belt hanger
Condition: Very good to excellent
Rarity: Desirable late transitional example
Short ID: HJ-AW-M751-38
Explore related listings: Hitler Youth Knives & Edged Weapons; Original Hitler Youth Membership Badge RZM M1/52 by Deschler & Sohn – Numbered No. B 79642; Nordmenn Militaria Collection.
Lakesidetrader – Transitional Anton Wingen M7/51 1938 HJ Knife
This example provides the closest published comparison and confirms the combination of M7/51/1938 and Blut und Ehre!
Vrijheidsmuseum – Hitler Youth Knife M7/51/38
The museum collection independently records an HJ Fahrtenmesser with the same maker code and date.
HJ Research – Hitler Youth Knife and Dagger Research
This specialist archive covers the development of the HJ Fahrtenmesser and the 1938 removal of the motto.
Anton Wingen Jr. of Solingen manufactured it.
Both the armoured-knight commercial trademark and RZM M7/51 identify the company.
M7 represents the RZM edged-weapons category.
51 identifies Anton Wingen Jr.
It is the manufacturing year shown directly on the blade.
The knife combines the RZM-controlled M7/51/1938 marking with the earlier Blut und Ehre! blade motto.
Yes.
Lakesidetrader archives an almost identical example carrying both the motto and M7/51/1938 marking.
Yes.
The Vrijheidsmuseum records an HJ Fahrtenmesser marked M7/51/38.
It translates as Blood and Honour.
The motto disappeared during 1938.
Therefore, dated 1938 motto-bearing knives represent the final stage of this feature.
It is Anton Wingen Jr.’s commercial manufacturer trademark.
No.
K & Co. manufactured genuine motto-bearing HJ knives and provides a useful period comparison. However, this knife is conclusively marked Anton Wingen Jr. M7/51/1938.
Its enamel construction, fit and appearance remain consistent with a period example from the supplied photographs.
Original Transitional Hitler Youth Fahrtenmesser Model 1933 – Anton Wingen Jr., Solingen – Dual Commercial and RZM Marked – Armoured-Knight Trademark – RZM M7/51/1938 – Original “Blut und Ehre!” Motto – Enamel HJ Diamond – Original Black Steel Scabbard – Leather Hanger – Very Good to Excellent Condition
