Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII German Red Cross, or Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, EM/NCO hewer, known in German as the Hauer für Mannschaften, complete with its original scabbard. It features the characteristic blunt tipped sawback blade, nickel plated alloy hilt, black Bakelite grip plates, and DRK eagle and Geneva Cross emblem on the obverse guard.

The alloy hilt mounts retain much of their original nickel plating, with wear through around the pommel edges, some denting from use, and minor bubbling consistent with age and storage. Areas of the nonmagnetic base metal are exposed near the pommel end, while the remaining plating has developed a lightly oxidized patina.

The crossguard features an oval boss on each side. The obverse bears the DRK eagle with partially spread wings, a raised mobile hook cross on the breast, and a Geneva Cross held in the talons. The grip plates are black Bakelite, with the upper plate checkered and the lower plate smooth, both remaining free of visible cracks or major damage. They are secured by the original screws and slotted steel bolts, which show oxidation. The original leather blade buffer washer is still present at the guard.

The blade of this hewer is the classic saw back type, and is in very good condition, showing scattered very light staining on both sides. The factory final polish grind crossgrain is still present throughout the blade, a finish known in German as Pliesten. It is created by polishing the blades with large leather covered wheels using a slurry of extremely fine grit, and is nearly impossible to replicate using modern means. For advanced edged weapon collectors, the survival of this original crossgrain is an especially important feature because it indicates that the blade has not been aggressively polished or resurfaced after manufacture.

The sawback blade remains in very good condition with only scattered light staining. The factory final polish grind crossgrain is still present throughout the blade, a finish known in German as Pliesten. It is created by polishing the blades with large leather covered wheels using a slurry of extremely fine grit, and is nearly impossible to replicate using modern means. For advanced edged weapon collectors, the survival of this original crossgrain is an especially important feature because it indicates that the blade has not been aggressively polished or resurfaced after manufacture. There is some runner wear and light swirl marking from cleaning, which has disturbed portions of the grain.

The edge remains factory blunt and unsharpened, with only a small nick or dent near the tip. Dirt and residue remain worked into the sawback teeth, which are slightly dulled from use. Beneath the crossguard, the blade is marked:

GES.
GESCHÜTZT

for Gesetzlich Geschützt, indicating that the design was legally protected.

The original steel scabbard remains straight and dent free. Its black enamel finish shows extensive age related checking and crazing, along with evidence of an older repaint that has itself largely worn away, leaving scattered areas of degraded black finish over the original surface. The nickel plated steel fittings remain present with very good plating, and all four retaining screws are intact.

Overall condition is very good and strongly service used, with especially appealing survival of the original blade crossgrain, complete sawback teeth, original leather buffer, substantial hilt plating, and an intact scabbard. The main condition issues are hilt wear and denting, light oxidation, minor blade staining and cleaning marks, dulling to the sawback teeth, and extensive checking and wear to the scabbard finish.

With its DRK guard emblem, sawback blade, surviving factory Pliesten crossgrain, nickel plated hilt, original leather buffer, GES. GESCHÜTZT marking, and complete scabbard, this is a strong example of a German Red Cross EM/NCO hewer. It would display especially well in a DRK edged weapon, German medical service, EM/NCO hewer, sawback blade, or advanced German WWII edged weapon 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.