Original German WWII Excellent DRK Red Cross EM/NCO Hewer with Scabbard & Leather Frog - Deutsches Rotes Kreuz

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent condition example of the German Red Cross (DRK) Enlisted Man / Non-Commissioned Officer Hewer, complete with its original scabbard and leather belt frog. The hewer has a blunt tip and edge, as it was intended for combat medics, who would make more use of the Sawback blade, which could be used to cut wood for splints. The heavy blade could however be used for chopping if sharpened, similar to the U.S. Hospital corps "bolo" knives of WWI.

The alloy hilt mounts on this example retain about 80% of the original nickel plating, and it looks like some type of coating or plating was applied to the exterior. There is some bubbling and age to the plating, but it is still in very good shape, showing some chipping on the back. The crossguard features an oval boss on each side, with the obverse featuring an eagle with half-opened wings and a raised out mobile Swas (hook cross) on his breast. The bird clutches a "Geneva cross" in his talons. The grip plates are bakelite, with the top plate being checkered, and the bottom plate being smooth, both still crack free and showing light wear. They are retained by the original screws and steel slotted bolts, which show oxidation. The crossguard still has the original leather buffer washer around the blade.

The blade of this hewer is the classic saw back type, and is in excellent condition, possibly the best we have ever seen! There is only some very light wear keeping it from being MINT! The factory final polish grind crossgrain is present throughout the blade, with only a bit worn off by the scabbard runners. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The edge is not sharpened, retaining the factory "blunt" edge, so it was not used for chopping, an the sawback is pristine. Under the cross guard the blade is marked GES. / GESCHÜTZT, for Gesetzlich Geschützt (Protected By Law), indicating that this knife was a trademarked design.

The scabbard is in very good condition, still straight with no dents we can feel. The black enamel finish is still retained at over 95%, with just a bit of chipping and some wear on the frog button. The nickel plated steel fittings are still present, showing light to moderate wear and just a bit of oxidation. The plating on the throat is over 90%, however the chape probably retains it at about 50%. All four "cheese head" screws are present and in good shape. The scabbard is held in a good condition black leather frog, which features aluminum rivets. The gloss black finish is in very good condition, however the stitching is rotting out, with separating on the left side of the sleeve, as well as below the belt loop.

A fantastic example of a WWII DRK Hewer, complete with the original scabbard and frog. Ready to add to your collection!

Specifications:

Blade Length: 10 1/2"
Blade Style: "Hewer" with Sawback
Overall length: 15 5/8“
Crossguard: 3”
Scabbard Length: 11"

History of the German Red Cross (DRK)

The DRK, "Deutsches Rotes Kreuz" (German Red Cross), a voluntary civil assistance organization originally instituted in 1864, was officially acknowledged by the Geneva Convention in 1929. In December 1937 it gained status as a legally recognized organization by the NSDAP. As with other essential services in Third Reich Germany, it came under control of the NSDAP in late 1938 under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior's Social Welfare Organization.