The German Red Cross (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, DRK) was organized by the NSDAP in 1938. They worked closely with the local populace to handle air raids and gas attacks, and coordinated first aid efforts with police and fire brigades. As with most German organizations during WW2, they were paramilitary in nature, and DRK enlisted men wore military style uniforms and carried impressive "hewers" as a mark of rank and status. The hewer was more than just ceremonial, it had a practical purpose for preparing splints, casts, bandages, and litters. It featured a cutting edge, a heavy sawback spine, and a blunt tip to adhere to the Geneva Convention, which outlawed medical staff from carrying combat weapons. The DRK EM hewer ceased being made in 1940, and its impressive size and overt Germanic design made it a favorite war souvenir among US Army troops in the ETO. This German WW2 Deutsche Rotes Kreuz DRK Red Cross EM Hewer Dagger is in very good condition, with some scattered cleaning, scratching, pitting, spot patina, and scabbard wear at each side of the blade, some scattered finish abrading, pitting, and spot patina to the guard and pommel, some finish abrading and patina to the handle scale screws, and with some scattered age wear evident. Otherwise, the dagger is in fine shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it features a bright 10 1/2" square tipped fullered blade with a heavy sawback spine, sports the classic spread wing eagle and red cross insignia embossed in a roundel at the elegantly figured guard, and is simply stamped "GES. / GESCHUTZT" at the ricasso, which translates to a patented item. The maker's mark on these daggers is usually found on the tang under the handle scales; we have not removed the scales to look for that stamp, it may or may not have an additional maker's mark. The dagger boasts striking black plastic handle scales secured by two metal screws, with the right scale being crisply checkered, carries an elegant silver plated metal full guard and flared pommel, and exhibits the original "pebbled" black leather "bumper pad" at the blade/guard join. It's complete with the original German WW2 DRK Red Cross EM Hewer Scabbard in very good condition, with a small spot dent in the middle front body, some crazing, finish abrading, and patina to the black painted body, some scattered spot patina to the throat and end tip, and with some scattered age wear evident. Otherwise, the scabbard is in fine shape, with absolutely no cracking or other damage. Most interestingly, it retains approximately 75% of the original black painted finish on the body, exhibits the original screwed-in silver plated metal throat piece and end tip, and shows the original frog stud at the upper front body. The set is a fine example of a rare, original German WW2 Deutsche Rotes Kreuz DRK Red Cross EM Hewer Dagger.
Knives