Ludwig Zeitler, Wien | RZM M7/104
The Ludwig Zeitler Waffenfabrik Vienna based firm was founded in 1836. Zeitler manufactured: swords, dress daggers and bayonets during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, First Austrian Republic, Weimar era, Third Reich era and after the war and into the 1980s. Some of Zeitler's Austro-Hungarian swords include: the M1861 Infantry Officers sword, the M1862 Naval Officer's sword, the M1877 Mounted Artillery Sabre, the M1877 Cavalry Sabre, Police Officers swords along with some Knights of Malta swords (c.1870) and the M1915 Pioneer short-sword. Daggers and bayonets included: the M1854 Navy Dress dagger (used until 1873), the M1907 Naval Cadet dagger, M1917/18 Navy Officials Dress dagger (used for 1 year) as well as the Mannlicher M1895 bayonet. In 1917, the office was located on Wien VII, Sanettystraße 3 and the factory: Aue bei Schottwein. By the First Austrian Republic, on September 10, 1919, Zeitler was manufacturing the M35 Austrian Air Force Dress dagger and the M35 Austrian Air Defense Unit Dress dagger. German Police bayonets were manufactured during the Weimar era. In 1938, Austria was incorporated into Nazi Germany. Zeitler, already familiar with manufacturing edged weapons for Germany, was issued the RZM license number M7/104. In 1939, the office was located on Lerchenfeldergürtel 60 and the factory on Ober-Peisting. Many edged weapons can be seen with Zeitler's maker mark including: the 1st Model Luftwaffe daggers, SA/NSKK daggers, Fireman and dress bayonets, Army daggers as well as HJ knives and more. Earlier pieces feature either Zeitler's two crossed hammers and swords (with or within a shield) trademark, simply L. (or Ludwig) Zeitler Wien and later pieces feature only the RZM mark. After the end of the Second World War, Zeitler continued making knives and bayonets. Zeitler contracted with Eickhorn to produce the Austrian "Type 77" bayonet and soon after the Glock knife "Feldmesser 78." However, profitability thereafter declined so rapidly that the business closed in the early 1980s.
| Maker | Ludwig Zeitler |
| Location | Wien |
| RZM Number | RZM M7/104 |
| Trademark | Two Crossed Hammers and Sword (with or within a shield) |
| Founded | 1836 |
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Reference:
Hogle, N. (2021). The Collector’s Guide to Hitler Youth Knives.