Original German WWII DRK Red Cross EM/NCO Hewer with Scabbard & Frog – 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 1941-dated 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 95% of the original nickel-plating still intact, with some overall speckling, but very little of the base metal alloy visible. This hewer shows little sign of use, and there are only some tiny dents around the edges of the handle.

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 galvanized steel original screws and slotted bolts. The crossguard also 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, showing little to no sign of use. There are just a few areas of light staining, as well as runner wear on the center spine of the blade. There is still almost all of the original factory final grind cross grain on both sides. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. Under the cross guard the blade is marked GES. / GESCHÜTZT, for Gesetzlich Geschutzt (Protected By Law), indicating that this knife was a trademarked design.

The scabbard is in very good condition, with no dents to the body that we can see, and the original black enamel finish retained at almost 100% It has a lovely pattern of checking and crazing in the finish, showing that it is original, and has not been refinished. The nickel plated steel fittings are still present, each retained by two screws. The plating is retained very well, with some overall speckling, and a few small areas of plating loss and oxidation on the chape.

The included frog is in great shape, with fully intact stitching, and intact galvanized steel rivets. The leather still has much of the gloss black finish, with little sign of wear, and no tearing or major damage. It is even maker marked and dated on the back: CARL BUSSE / MAINZ / 1941.

An excellent example of a German WWII DRK Hewer, complete with its scabbard and belt frog. A prime example, 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.