Red Cross Leaders Hangers

Product Description: This set of Red Cross Leaders Hangers is a very scarce accouterment to find, and is in excellent condition. The metal fittings show only minor wear, and retain most of the original, bright finish. The spring clip for attaching this to a dagger hanger is intact and functional, and marked “DRGM” indicating it was a Reich copyrighted design. The aluminum strap buckles are extremely clean, the scabbard clips are also in excellent condition with some normal finish wear. The brocade and velvet straps of these Red Cross Leaders Hangers are very nice, with only minor toning from age and wear. There is a small bit of hand-sewing on the reverse where the longer strap was shortened just a bit to adjust the angle at which the dagger was worn. This is a neat personal detail that is undoubtedly period done. This Red Cross Leaders Hangers set is an attractive example that would be perfect for completing an original dagger.

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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