Original German WWII DRK Red Cross Officer’s Dagger with Portepee – Deutsches Rotes Kreuz Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a very rare German Red Cross (DRK) Officer’s Dagger, complete with its nickel plated scabbard and portepee. Unlike the more commonly found EM/NCO Hewer, these daggers have a double edged spear point blade, which is actually fairly sharp near the tip. These were worn by officer’s, and not intended for the utility use of the hewer, so they utilize more standard German WWII Dagger construction, with a tang fully enclosed in the grip.

The hilt mounts have over 90% of the original nickel-plating still intact, with some overall speckling, but very little of the base metal alloy visible. This example does not seem to have been used much, as the wear to the plating is overall, and seems to be more from age than 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 Geneva cross in his talons. The celluloid grip of this example has faded to a very nice light pumpkin amber. The end nut does show some wear, probably from tightening. As it is, the grip and crossguard are somewhat loose on the tang, due to the missing blade buffer, as well as shrinking due to age.

The scabbard is in excellent condition, with almost fully intact nickel plating, with minimal oxidation and wear. It features very nice pebble-grained panels, and a throat retained at both sides by small dome headed screws. They show no evidence of ever having been removed.

The blade of this dagger is in excellent near mint condition! It has full factory crossgrain, with just the tiniest specks of oxidation in one small area, with minimal runner wear, most of which is on the ricasso. There is no evidence of post factory sharpening, and the original tip is intact and unbent. The blade is unmarked, as almost all DRK Officer Daggers will be.

The original silver bullion portepee is still in place, and is tied in the regulation knot. It is the thinner corded variety, and is in great shape, like the rest of the dagger. There are a few areas of light wear, but otherwise it is in excellent condition, and presents very well.

If you have been looking for a great condition Red Cross Officer’s Dagger, 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