DRK Red Cross Hewer

Product Description: This is a very appealing, all-original example of a DRK Red Cross Hewer. This one is extremely nice. The blade is mint, with complete cross-graining. All of the sharp teeth to the saw back of the blade are in perfect condition. The ricasso is stamped “Ges. Geschützt”, indicating a trademarked design. The fit of all of the components on this is perfect. The hilt is alloy based, and heavily nickel-silver plated. This DRK Red Cross Hewer shows minor patina, but the plating is in great condition overall. The surfaces are clean and smooth. The bakelite grips are perfect, and all four screws are intact, showing no signs of having been messed with. The brown leather buffer pad is also intact. The steel based, black enamel painted scabbard looks great! It retains over 99 percent of the original satin finish paint, and it remains completely dent free! The scabbard fittings are solid nickel-silver, with a patina that matches the grip perfectly. It’s an attractive in near mint condition, complete DRK Red Cross Hewer featuring everything one wants to see with these.

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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