Condition: Excellent Plus
Maker: Klaas
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Product Description: This is a very nice example of a DRK Red Cross hewer, in excellent plus condition. The blade on this one is outstanding, and in near mint condition. It shows only extremely slight traces of age, and does not appear ever to have been cleaned. On the reverse of the blade, the ricasso is stamped “Ges. Geschützt,” indicating a legally trademarked design. It is believed that DRK hewers with this marking were made by Klaas. The original leather blade buffer is present. The handle on this one is also very nice, with only slight age and wear to the pommel and crossguard, and some patination to the grip hardware. The front Bakelite grip plate is nearly perfect, while the rear plate shows only one very small hairline crack near the lower screw. This DRK Red Cross Hewer is complete with its original scabbard, which retains nearly all of the original black enamel paint on the body, and shows very light age and wear. There are no dents or damage to note. This Hewer is also complete with its original leather frog, which shows typical sewn and riveted construction, and is complete and sound. This is a great, representative piece, certainly well above average, that displays handsomely.
Historical Description: The German Red Cross (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, DRK) was given organizational status by the Nazi Party in 1938. As with all official organizations, it fell under the auspices of the NSDAP; the DRK fell under the German Ministry of the Interior. In 1938, a special and unique edged weapon, the “Hauer für Mannschaften” (known to collectors as the Red Cross EM Hewer) was introduced for enlisted personnel of the DRK. It was a blunt-pointed tool, with one cutting edge, and one saw edge on the blade spine. It was intended not only as a dress dagger for ceremonial and formal wear, but as a practical knife for preparing splints, casts and bandages. The purpose of the blunt tip was to avoid violating Geneva Convention prohibitions against medical staff carrying offensive weapons. Unlike most German blades intended for dress purposes, the Red Cross EM Hewer was not a private purchase item but was issued from unit stocks as needed. Officers in the DRK wore a different dagger. Manufacture of the enlisted hewer ceased in 1940.
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