Original German WWII DRK Red Cross EM/NCO Hewer with Leather Frog dated 1939 – Deutsches Rotes Kreuz Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of the German Red Cross (DRK) Enlisted Man / Non-Commissioned Officer Hewer, complete with scabbard and leather 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 be used for chopping, similar to the U.S. Hospital corps “bolo” knives of WWI.

The hilt mounts have over 90% of the original nickel-plating still intact, with some bubbling, but very little of the base metal alloy visible. This hewer does not seem to have been used much, as the wear to the plating is overall, and seems to be more from age tan use.

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 on his breast. The bird clutches a cross in his talons. The grip plates are bakelite, with the top plate being checkered, and the bottom plate being smooth. They are retained by the original screws and slotted bolts. The crossguard also still has the original leather buffer washer around the blade.

The scabbard is in very good condition, though it does show its age. It does not have dents we can see, but the enamel shows quite a bit of crazing and checking due to age. There is also some wear from the frog, however under the frog the enamel has also been preserved quite nicely. The nickel plated steel fittings are still present, each retained by two screws. The plating has worn off on the better part of the drag, and the underlying steel has oxidized a bit.

The included frog is in good shape, though most of the stitching has pulled out on the bottom, so it is mostly held together by the aluminum rivets. The leather was original finished black, but a good deal of the finish has flaked away. There is a maker marking on the back of the frog, but only the date, 1939, is easily legible.

The blade of this hewer is the classic saw back type, and is really in great shape. It has just a bit of light staining, and a great factory crossgrain throughout. It has just a bit of runner wear, and was never sharpened on the edge, so it is blunt over all. Under the cross guard the blade is marked GES. / GESCHÜTZT, for Gesetzlich Geschutzt (Protected By Law), indicating that this knife was a trademarked design.

If you have been looking for a great condition Red Cross hewer, you just found it!

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