I just came across this HJ knife without a Maker Mark Logo and Motto. It looks like the real thing to me but I had a few observations to make. The knife is slightly larger than a regular HJ knife. The knife is heavier as well as that there is thicker material on the blade. The HJ Diamond does not move at all it appears very tight. The RZM logo is not as crisp as on some other knifes. Questions: Is this an original period example? Is it ok that the diamond does not wiggle around? It is normal that the knife is a little larger and heavier? I would say if original the value might be around $400? Thank you very much for your help and input! As always your input is very much appreciated. JME

Handle

Diamond

Lower Handle

RZM close

RZM even closer

L S Maker Mark on Leather part of Scabert

Side be side. The one I am talking about is the top on. This is to see the size difference.

Again I am talking about the top one. You can see how much thicker the material is when compared to a regular HJ knife.

Hmm, in my opinion, the HJ on top looks more like the typical HJ, and the blade shape of the bottom one looks unusual. There is quite a difference in weight among various HJs depending on what time period they were made and between manufacturers.

The diamond sometimes won't wiggle on a good HJ if it's made to close tolerances, but it can also mean it's glued in place, or a replacement. An x-ray would be helpful, but not always practical to get. The wear on the diamond on the top and bottom on your example makes me lean toward it being a good one.

The leather is nicely LFS marked.

John

I'm in agreement with John on this. The top knife looks fine and original to me. Can you post some more pics of the other, smaller knife? Hard to tell in the pics bit it looks like there is some plating loss to the top of hilt, exposing what looks to be blueish zinc construction. Other pics would be helpful.

Regards
Russell

Hi, I just got a Anton Wingen JR and the dimond does not wiggle. It is a pre RZM knife. I have noticed different style and size blades from maker to maker and different time periods. Also the dimond can be different size to.Good luck with this knife, Ian.

Hi John, Russell and Ian Thank you all for your input. As per request from Russell I am posting a few more pictures of the below knife. Russell I can confirm after you pointed out that it appears that there is some plating loss on the hilt of the knife. I did not notice the plating loss when I purchased the knife due to bad lighting in the room. Please take a look at the pictures and hopefully we get some more responses. Thank you all very much for your input. JME

Handle

Blade

Diamond

Upside down

Handle back

Balde back

RZM

Inside

Looks to also be a nice original knife, from E. & F. Hörster, Solingen with non-magnetic hilt, zinc construction. I've noticed slightly varying lengths to knives and scabbards, as well as blade shapes and diamond sizes as Ian has also mentioned. Couple of nice knives you've got there. From research done so far on dated knives with zinc construction, I'd guess this a late 1938 or later manufactured piece.

Regards
Russell

I agree it looks like an original knife. In my opinion, it looks like the cross graining has been redone, which means it could have been sharpened which can change the contour/shape of the blade. It could also be a variation, but without the original blade finish, it's hard to say.


I think the average collector wouldn't notice anything unusual about this HJ anyway.

Thanks for sharing, John

Both are fine original Hj-knifes.

As already indicated, the Hörster seems (could be the pictures) to have a slighty reshaped blade, but only a hand inspection can confirm that.

Note that there were some differences in blade lenght and blade wideness between the makers.

You can even find examples by the same maker that differ.

Best greetings,

Herman

When you compare HJ Knives from different periods and different manufacturers, there is a great amount of variation. Even with the same manufacturer, over the 12 years of the TR, you will see variaions.
In this case I see no evidence that the late war HJ has been reground, no rounding to mark and no gap of blade finish by the leather washer you see in reground blades. Just looks late to me.
Also, the condition of the hilt and scabbard matches the condition you would expect with the blade, so, for my part, all appears normal to me.
JMO,
Ron Weinand