Kuno Ritter, Hubertus, Solingen-Gräfrath | RZM M7/3

The Kuno Ritter Stahlwarenfabrik company was founded in 1932. It registered with the Solingen authorities in 1933. Prior to WWII, Ritter manufactured: hunting, sporting and pocket knives as well as staghorn-handled knives, cutlery, household and professional knives. 1932 records indicate the company was located on Gasstraße 4. This was also the premises of the Friedrich Plücker jr. firm. Plücker assisted Ritter in its beginnings by supplying production rooms and offering assistance in manufacturing. During the Third Reich era, Ritter manufactured: bayonets, hunting sidearms, SA/ NSKK daggers, HJ knives etc. In 1935, Ritter received its RZM license M7/3. 1938 records show that Ritter remained on Gasstraße 4, where Plücker was recorded at Nümmener Strße 4 a year later. Ritter must have then purchased that factory from Plücker. A December 17, 1939, issue of Messer und Schere marketed: switch-blade knives, hiking knives, sidearms and daggers. Immediately after the war, Ritter began a cooperation with the Wilhelm Weltersbach knife factory, which proved to be very successful. Ritter focused on fixed blade knives and Weltersbach on pocket knives. The two companies likely had a strong relationship prior to the war as 1935/36 evidence suggests (see pg. 42) that they shared the same etching template/specialist. In 1950, Ritter acquired the J. A. Schmidt Nachfolger firm, and its brand name Hubertus. Saint Hubertus is the patron saint of hunters which was an ideal brand for hunting knives. In 1961, the Gebr. Gräfrath company and their skilled workers were taken over and the relationship with the Weltersbach company ended. Hubertus is now managed by Henning Ritter and Beate Ritter, the founder's grand-daughter. The "Hubertus Schneidwarenfabrik, Kuno Ritter GmbH & Co KG" company continues to make hunting and pocket knives, along with a wide range of classic German: switch-blade knives, staghorn-handled cutlery and rescue knives.

Looking to sell your dagger or sword? We are always buying. Please, Contact us we would be happy to assist you.

Early SA Dagger by Kuno Ritter

Item Number:	SA-26184
Rating:	Exc/Exc+

Not Available

Transitional Hitler Youth Knife by K. Ritter

Item Number:	HJ-23521
Rating:	Exc++

Not Available

Hunting Hirschfanger by Hubertus

Item Number:	HD-29256
Rating:	Exc++/NM

Not Available

Reference:

     Hogle, N. (2021). The Collector’s Guide to Hitler Youth Knives.