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

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice slightly damaged example of the German Red Cross (DRK) Enlisted Man / Non-Commissioned Officer Sawback Hewer, complete with 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 a lot of the original nickel plating, though it is oxidized and bubbling in a lot of places. It does not seem to have seen much use, so most of this deterioration looks to be from age and storage.

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. Unfortunately the plates are missing the portion above the upper screw on both sides, possibly from over tightening. The crossguard still has the original leather buffer washer around the blade.

The scabbard is in good condition, though it does show its age. It has a significantly large dent on the rear, which does make the blade somewhat hard to sheathe. The black enamel finish is well retained, with some chipping and crazing on the front. The nickel plated steel fittings are still present, each retained by two screws. The plating is retained very well, with some overall speckling, but no major wear or oxidation of the base metal.

The 10 1/2 inch blade of this hewer is the classic saw back type, and is in good condition, with some light pitting and signs of past oxidation resulting from water exposure. There are stains on the blade flat, typical of the type of damage water. The blade was cleaned up, but still shows the stains and marks, as shown. Under the cross guard the blade is marked GES. / GESCHÜTZT, for Gesetzlich Geschutzt (Protected By Law), indicating that this knife was a trademarked design.

A nice service used example, with some damage to the grip. If you were looking for a hewer with some real history, this is 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 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.

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