Hitler Youth Accessories: Dagger

Figure 1.--This Hitler Youth dagger had a black handle with the red and white Hitler Youth pin with the black swastica. Here is the knife issued to the boys and the belt sheef it was worn with.

No item of a was more importance to a Hilter Youth boy than his dagger. A proud momenent in each Hitler Youth boy's life was when he was awarded his dagger escribed with the motto "Blood and Soil" (Blut und Ehre). All male Hitler Youth members were issued with a short bladed knife, the HJ-Fahrtenmesser or Travelling Knife. This was carried in a metal sheath worn from the waist belt. This was for many of the boys one of their most prized possesions. Note the diamond shaped red and white device with a black swastica on the dagger handle

Design

The Hitler Youth dagger was a blunt dagger with a black handle. Note the diamond shaped red and white device with a black swastica on the dagger handle, The blade was escribed with the motto "Blut und Ehre" meaning Blood and Honor.

Wearing

The dagger was carried in a metal sheath worn from the waist belt. I'm not sure when it was worn. Did the boys wear it every time they put on the uniform. If they went to school in their uniform, did they wear it. Or was it only worn for ceremonial occasions.

Popularity

A proud momenent in each Hitler Youth boy's life was when he was awarded his dagger. These knives were very popular with the boys. These knives were for many of the boys one of their most prized possesions.

Chronology

I'm not sure when the dagger shown here with Hitler Youth device was adopted. I believe it was after the NAZIs seized power in 1933. They were widely worn by HJ boys in the 1930s.

Prevalence

No item of a was more importance to a Hilter Youth boy than his dagger. A proud momenent in each Hitler Youth boy's life was when he was awarded his dagger. All male Hitler Youth members were theoretically issued with a short bladed knife or dagger, the HJ-Fahrtenmesser or Travelling Knife. We are not sure just what the process was. Apparently the boys had to learn basic NAZI dogma. Once they passed the necessary tests they were were awarded their daggers. We believe that virtually all HJ boys wore them, but we are not sure about the age at which this occurred. The parents had some say in the matter as the knives had to b purchased. Presumably it would not have been politically wise to delay the purchase too long.

Ceremony

I'm also not sure if there was any ceremony when a boy first received his dagger. Almost certainly there was an award ceremoy, although HBU has little information about the pageantry involved. We believe that the boys' parents purchased these daggers which were then presented to the boys in an elaborate ceremony.

Images

HBU's intention is to eventually add some photographs here of Hitler Youth boys actually wearing their daggers.