Original Item: Only One Available: This is a great example of the extremely rare Model 1937 RAD Führer Haumesser (Officer/Leader's Hewer), complete with original plated steel scabbard, and a lovely silver plated nickel hilt. It was produced by the legendary Solingen-based firm of Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Co., a highly desirable maker of this rare dagger/hewer.

This WKC piece has great silvering to the hilt, with a lovely patina over much of it. There is a bit of wear through and bubbling in areas, but it does not detract from the overall look. The pommel features the noble eagle looking to the viewer's left. The details to the eye, brow and beak are exceptional. The reverse of the head has the four decorative accents that give the viewer the feel of feathering, and there is a similar accent under the chin.

The "ferrule" portion of the grip has the accent grooves that are set on about a 30 degree angle running the right to left direction. The crossguard features the two quillons that ride outward and curl at the ends. The reverse is plain, while the obverse center area depicts the RAD logo. It is a lined spade, having a superimposed, raised mobile swas (hook cross) in the center. Below, the shovel is bordered at the bottom with two wheat stalks positioned on 45 degree angles.

The grip plates are a pleasing off-white color, though they are somewhat roughly made, and could be period replacements. They do not appear to be celluloid though, so they may be bone or ivory, and had to be filed on the edge to fit. One side has a crack, but it is the typical age crack only seen in bone or ivory.

The scabbard shell is straight throughout showing great original plating almost fully intact. Both sides feature a fine pebbled panel in the middle. The pebbled central portion was originally blackened and then polished to give a great effect. The front upper area features the line-decorated RAD curls. Below are 45 degree angle-positioned wheat shafts, a motif that is repeated on the drag. The reverse upper and lower panels are plain, and the entire scabbard retains almost all of the silver plate.  The throat still retains the single retaining screw on the back, and the simple hanging clips are still intact.

The blade is a bright example, with a subtly brushed finish, and a curved "clip-point" (bowie) style tip. It is quite nice, with the usual thin fuller at the top, and a very nice acid-etched RAD Motto: Arbeit adelt (Work Ennobles). This motto retains almost 100% of the factory blackening in the letters. The blade does not really show any use, with just a few specks of light staining. This is a really nice example, with the full factory final polish.

The reverse ricasso is stamped with the trademark "Knights-Head" (Ritter-helm) logo of legendary maker Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie of Solingen, over the firms initials of WKC / SOLINGEN. This company is a famous manufacturer of military swords and cutlery in Solingen, Germany - a city famous since the middle ages for its metal-working and craftsmanship in sword making. Per J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS, the traditional manufacturing of swords at WKC dates back to the year 1774 when the Weyersberg first registered the ''Kings head'' as their trademark. Later in 1883 the company merged with the Kirschbaums and the company WKC was formed as it exists today.

This is a really great and rare hewer/dagger, which is sure to appreciate in value over the years. These are very hard to come by, especially with such an excellent blade made by WKC. A worthy addition to any WWII Edged weapon collection!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10 3/4"
Blade Style: Single Edged Clip Point Hewer
Overall length: 15 1/4“
Crossguard: 2 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 10 3/4"

The 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.

On 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.