Set of Two Croatian Ustasha Youth Knives Model 1944 – “Heroes of the Ustasha” & “Youth of Starčević”
Maker
Wingen Anton Junior, Solingen
Model
M1944
Blade
single-edged
Length
250 mm | 210 mm
Weight
280 g | 111 g
Hanger
Attached leather hanger
Condition
EXC+
Set of Two Croatian Ustasha Youth Knives Model 1944 – “Heroes of the Ustasha” & “Youth of Starčević”
Rare set consisting of two different knives of the Croatian Ustasha Youth from the Second World War period. The set includes the smaller model “Heroes of the Ustasha” as well as the larger knife “Youth Starčević”, both following the 1944 pattern. Their overall design was clearly influenced by contemporary German DJ utility knives of the Deutsche Jugend and represents an interesting example of Croatian youth organization equipment of the era.
Small knife “Heroes of the Ustasha”: Riveted grip plates made of deep black ribbed synthetic material / Bakelite with characteristic appearance. The single-edged steel blade is inserted into the grip and riveted in place. The original black-painted steel scabbard features an attached emblem of the Ustasha youth organization on the front side. Overall length with scabbard approximately 210 mm.
Large knife “Youth Starčević”: Version with attractive stag horn grip plates and single-edged steel blade. The reverse side of the blade is marked with the maker “Anton Wingen Solingen”. Characteristic features include the massive pommel in stylized bird-head form and the slightly curved crossguard with droplet-shaped ending. Overall length with scabbard approximately 255 mm.
Both knives feature nickel-plated grip fittings and show age-related wear and usage traces. The black-painted metal scabbards retain the typical leather carrying straps associated with the Croatian Ustasha youth organization. Comparable original sets of Croatian youth organization edged weapons are rarely encountered on today’s collector market.
Source: Dirks of the World (Weapons Academy) – Dmitry Fedurin
Historical Background: Croatian Ustasha Youth Knives Model 1944
During the Second World War, the youth organizations of the Croatian Ustasha movement used various pieces of equipment strongly influenced by contemporary German designs. This influence is especially visible in youth and utility knives, whose appearance was inspired by the well-known knives of the Deutsche Jugend (DJ).
According to contemporary reference sources, the smaller knives with black synthetic grip plates were carried by members of the middle group “Heroes of the Ustasha”, while the larger versions with stag horn grips were associated with the senior group “Youth Starčević”. Both patterns featured black-painted metal scabbards with attached emblems of the youth organization.
Of particular interest is the larger knife bearing the maker mark of Anton Wingen, Solingen, a well-known German manufacturer of historical edged weapons. Original surviving sets of this kind are rarely encountered on the international collector market today and represent interesting historical artifacts of Croatian youth organizations from the years 1941–1945.
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