{"product_id":"original-german-pre-wwii-rad-labor-corps-em-nco-hewer-by-carl-eickhorn-with-matching-furth-issue-numbers-rare-bullet-hanger-and-belt-loop","title":"Original German Pre-WWII RAD Labor Corps EM\/NCO Hewer by Carl Eickhorn with Matching Fürth Issue Numbers, Rare Bullet Hanger and Belt Loop","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original German pre-WWII RAD enlisted hewer, or \u003cem\u003eHaumesser\u003c\/em\u003e, manufactured by \u003cstrong\u003eCarl Eickhorn of Solingen\u003c\/strong\u003e and complete with its original scabbard, rare bullet style hanger, and matching belt loop. It is a particularly desirable and unusually complete setup, retaining matching Fürth issue numbers on the hewer and scabbard, early genuine stag grip plates, solid nickel alloy fittings, the deeply etched \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eArbeit adelt\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e motto, early Carl Eickhorn double oval trademark, and a \u003cstrong\u003e1937\u003c\/strong\u003e dated Assmann made hanger set with matching RAD acceptance markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hilt and scabbard fittings are of solid nickel alloy construction and appear to have originally been silver plated. Substantial portions of that finish remain, now showing a blue gray oxidized tone in places. The curled quillon retains some original darkening in the recessed grooves, while the hilt overall has developed an attractive speckled patina from age and service. Wear through the plating is visible on the beak pommel and at the end of the quillon, exposing the nickel base metal beneath. There is also some denting to the rear of the handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse of the hilt immediately above the crossguard is issue marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFü 1083\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe same number appears on the top of the scabbard throat. The matching markings identify the hewer and scabbard as a numbered set that was issued together.. The marking Fü stands for Fürth, a regional supply and issue office (\u003cem\u003eBeschaffungsamt\u003c\/em\u003e) located in Bavaria, Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grip plates are genuine stag and are the larger early type. Both remain fully intact with strong natural color and only minor wear from service. The plates are secured by nonmagnetic nickel alloy screws and spanner nuts, which remain in very good condition with age related oxidation and no obvious evidence of recent removal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe heavy bolo style blade has a matte factory finish with a single narrow fuller on each side. It shows definite service use, including small edge dents and chips, scattered old oxidation peppering, oxidation along the spine, and areas where staining was cleaned away in the past. Some original matte finish remains, but much of the surface now shows swirl marks from earlier cleaning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe obverse carries the deeply etched RAD motto:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eArbeit adelt\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003emeaning “Work Ennobles.” The etching remains crisp and still retains some of its original factory darkening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse ricasso is etched with the \u003cstrong\u003eRAD triangle\u003c\/strong\u003e acceptance mark above:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGES. GESCH.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003efor \u003cem\u003eGesetzlich Geschützt\u003c\/em\u003e, indicating a legally protected design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeneath this is the early Carl Eickhorn double oval trademark used circa 1934-1935. It features the seated squirrel facing the viewer’s left above \u003cstrong\u003eC.E.\u003c\/strong\u003e, surrounded by the inner oval, with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCARL EICKHORN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSOLINGEN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewithin the outer oval. According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. \u003cstrong\u003eEickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe steel scabbard shell remains straight and retains portions of its early black anodized style finish. The surface shows fading from use and past cleaning, together with scattered light oxidation, but no major rust or structural damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upper and lower scabbard fittings are nonmagnetic solid nickel silver alloy and were originally silver plated with darker contrasting finish applied in the recessed areas. Much of this contrast has worn away, though the reverse of the lower chape still clearly preserves a brighter finish on the RAD insignia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lower mount features the characteristic RAD shovel with lined surfaces and a smooth mobile swas centered on the spade, flanked by wheat shafts. The border is decorated with raised beaded circles. The upper mount repeats the beaded border and includes deeply stamped RAD scroll decoration with lined recessed backgrounds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll four cheese head retaining screws remain present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rare bullet style hanger is in very good service used condition and is accompanied by its matching belt loop, an especially difficult accessory combination to find complete. The black finished leather shows age related wear and finish deterioration but no major tears or structural damage. The belt loop has some localized finish flaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plated steel hardware on both pieces is identically marked with the barred \u003cstrong\u003eA\u003c\/strong\u003e over \u003cstrong\u003eA \u0026amp; S\u003c\/strong\u003e trademark of \u003cem\u003eF. W. Assmann \u0026amp; Söhne of Lüdenscheid\u003c\/em\u003e. To the right of that is the \u003cstrong\u003eRAD triangle\u003c\/strong\u003e acceptance mark above:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e37\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eindicating 1937 issue or acceptance. The matching Assmann and RAD markings on both the bullet hanger and belt loop strongly support that they were made as a corresponding set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plating on the hardware remains well preserved overall, though it has developed some greenish age toning and scattered oxidation where the finish has worn through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its early Carl Eickhorn manufacture, matching \u003cstrong\u003eFü 1083\u003c\/strong\u003e hewer and scabbard issue numbers, genuine stag grips, strong \u003cem\u003eArbeit adelt\u003c\/em\u003e motto, early 1934-1935 double oval trademark, original scabbard, and especially rare 1937 dated Assmann bullet hanger and belt loop set, this is an unusually complete and highly appealing RAD enlisted hewer. The worn plating, handle denting, blade edge damage, oxidation, swirl marks from past cleaning, scabbard finish loss, leather wear, and localized hardware oxidation are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in an RAD edged weapon, Carl Eickhorn maker, early German labor service, Assmann hanger, or advanced German WWII edged weapon collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 9 3\/4\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Single Edged Clip Point Hewer\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 13 3\/4“\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 3”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 10 1\/2\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe basis of the RAD, Reichsarbeitsdienst, (National Labor Service), dates back, at least, to 1929 with the formation of the AAD (Anhalt Arbeitsdienst) and the FAD-B (Freiwillingen Arbeitsdienst-Bayern). Shortly after AH’s appointment as Chancellor in Jan 1933, the NSDAP consolidated all labor organizations into the NSAD (Nationalsozialist Arbeitsdienst), a national labor service. It served as an agency to help mitigate the effects of unemployment on the German economy, militarize the workforce and indoctrinate it with NSDAP ideology. It was the official state labor service, divided into separate sections for men and women.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn June 26 1935 the NSAD was officially re-designated RAD. Originally personnel serving with RAD wore a variety of earlier FAD\/NSAD belt buckles until February 15TH 1936 when new pattern belt buckles for Officer’s and EM\/NCO’s were introduced to provided uniformity in dress.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45548267274309,"sku":"ONSV26CC118","price":1395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/49E8A328-8A97-4C61-81B8-3B2757F0DCB4.jpg?v=1786735873","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-pre-wwii-rad-labor-corps-em-nco-hewer-by-carl-eickhorn-with-matching-furth-issue-numbers-rare-bullet-hanger-and-belt-loop","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}