{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-excellent-drk-red-cross-em-nco-hewer-with-scabbard-deutsches-rotes-kreuz","title":"Original German WWII Excellent DRK Red Cross EM\/NCO Hewer with Scabbard - Deutsches Rotes Kreuz","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent condition example of the German Red Cross (DRK) Enlisted Man \/ Non-Commissioned Officer Hewer, complete with its original 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe alloy hilt mounts retain virtually all of the original nickel-plating, with just a bit of oxidation in areas, and no wear through to the non-magnetic base metal. There are just a few dents on the end of the pommel, probably from storage, and the grip shows little to know sign of use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crossguard features an oval boss on each side, with the obverse featuring an eagle with half-opened wings and a raised out mobile Swas (hook cross) on his breast. The bird clutches a \"Geneva 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 steel slotted bolts, which show light oxidation. The crossguard still has the original leather buffer washer around the blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade of this hewer is the classic saw back type, and is in excellent condition.\u003cbr\u003eIt has no signs of sharpening, and just has a few small spots of light staining, with nearly full factory cross grain. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. It has never been sharpened for use in the field. Under the cross guard the blade is marked \u003cstrong\u003eGES. \/ GESCHÜTZT\u003c\/strong\u003e, for \u003cem\u003eGesetzlich Geschützt\u003c\/em\u003e (Protected By Law), indicating that this knife was a trademarked design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard is in very good condition, showing just a bit of age only minor finish loss. The scabbard body is a single piece of steel, with the interior throat a separate piece retained by two dome headed screws. It looks like the entire body was nickel plated, and then the center portion painted during original manufacture. It has just a few dents, and is really a great looking example. The plating is retained very well, with only light oxidation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn excellent unissued example of a WWII DRK Hewer, complete with the original scabbard. Ready to add to your collection!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlade Length: 10 1\/2\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: \"Hewer\" with Sawback\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 15 5\/8“\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 3”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 11\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistory of the German Red Cross (DRK)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40582469681221,"sku":"ONSV23PCS54","price":850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV23PCS54__02.jpg?v=1685566792","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-excellent-drk-red-cross-em-nco-hewer-with-scabbard-deutsches-rotes-kreuz","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}