Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the German Red Cross (DRK) Enlisted Man / Non-Commissioned Officer Hewer, complete with scabbard and leather frog. 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.

The hilt mounts probably have a bit over 60% of the original nickel-plating still intact, with some overall speckling. The pommel has lost a lot of the plating on one side, which has now pitted and oxidized. It is made from zinc or a similar "white metal", which are very susceptible to corrosion.

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 (hook cross) on his breast. The bird clutches a 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 slotted bolts. The crossguard still has the original leather buffer washer around the blade. There is also a very nice unit marking on the reverse of the guard: WEIMAR / 167, indicating issue in the city in Thuringia, where Germany's first Democratic constitution was signed after WWI.

The scabbard is in good condition, though it does show some age. It does not have any dents we can see, but the enamel finish has some crazing and checking, with a bit of flaking and light oxidation The nickel plated steel fittings are still present, with both screws still installed on the locket. The plating is retained very well, with some speckling and oxidation on the chape, which is dent free.

The included frog is in very good condition, and is marked on the back with CARL BUSSE / MAINZ / 1940. The leather is in good condition, but has become delicate in areas, such as around the frog stud, where it has torn through. The stitching and rivets all look to be intact.

The blade of this hewer is the classic saw back type, and is in very good condition. It has no signs of sharpening, though it has had some past staining and light oxidation. This has been cleaned somewhat, which has made the factory final polish cross grain faint in some areas. Under the cross guard the blade is marked GES. / GESCHÜTZT, for Gesetzlich Geschutzt (Protected By Law), indicating that this knife was a trademarked design.

A very nice unit marked German WWII DRK Hewer, ready to add to your 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.