Original German WWII DRK Red Cross EM/NCO Hewer with Scabbard – Deutsches Rotes Kreuz Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good example of the German Red Cross (DRK) Enlisted Man / Non-Commissioned Officer Hewer, complete with its original scabbard. 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 light overall speckling and patination, but very little of the base metal alloy visible. This hewer shows little sign of use, with no dents on the softer alloy used for the hilt.

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. There is a bit of dirt on the checkered side, easily removed if desired. They are retained by the original screws and steel slotted bolts, which show some light 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 very good condition. It has no signs of sharpening, and just has a few areas of light staining, with nearly full factory cross grain. There is however a small cut ground into the tip, which we do not know the purpose of. 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, showing just a bit of age and finish loss. There is the usual checking and crazing in the enamel due to age, with just a bit of flaking. However there are significant dents on both sides of the scabbard near the bottom, though they do not interfere with sheathing the blade. The nickel plated steel fittings are still present, with the throat retained by two screws. The plating is retained very well, with only light speckling and oxidation on the chape.

A very good example of a WWII DRK Hewer, 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.