A genuine German Red Cross (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz) dress hewer of Third Reich period, offered in collectible honest condition. These hewers are not common, though not classed as ultra-rare, and remain a distinctive and unusual organisational sidearm. This example presents well overall and represents a more accessible piece for collectors looking to add a DRK hewer without the premium attached to near-mint examples.

Blade

The blade remains bright overall, retaining good surface finish with some staining present in places, consistent with age and careful storage. It features the characteristic sawback spine and the correct square ended tip, a defining feature of this pattern and a clear indicator of its dress rather than practical intent.
To the rear ricasso, beneath the langet, is the correct “Ges. gesch.” stamp, denoting Gesetzlich geschützt (legally protected design), a period marking rather than a maker’s mark. The buffer pad is present and intact.

Hilt & Grips

The hilt and crossguard are strong, attractive features on these dress daggers. The front grip plate is the correct black chequered grip, secured by two screw bolts, with a smooth black rear grip plate. The crossguard and langets are particularly well defined, displaying the Red Cross eagle clutching the swastika-centred cross. These langets are often encountered damaged or partially broken due to contact with the scabbard throat; on this example they are complete and undamaged, which is a definite plus.

Scabbard

The steel scabbard retains approximately 90% of its original black painted finish. Both throat screws and lower scabbard screws are present and correct. There is no structural damage, though there are a few small paint losses and a light indentation to the rear, along with some minor surface rusting toward the lower section. Overall, the scabbard remains very sound and displays well.

Frog

The hewer is fitted with a period leather K98 bayonet frog. While not purpose-made for this hewer, the frog shows clear long term wear and moulding consistent with having been fitted to this scabbard for many years. The outline of the rear langet is visibly impressed into the leather, and there is also a distinct wear line at the top of the frog where the heel of the scabbard has rubbed over time.
It is extremely difficult to fit a standard K98 frog to this pattern today without risking damage to the stitching, strongly suggesting this fitting occurred a long time ago, probably during the wartime period when leather frogs were new, more supple, and higher in oil content, allowing gradual moulding to a wider scabbard.

Overall

A good untouched example, offered in honest, collectible condition . Not mint, but far from poor — a solid, original example with strong character, correct features, and an interesting long-term frog pairing.

Historical Note

The German Red Cross operated as a national organisation during the Third Reich, closely aligned with state structures while retaining its humanitarian role. Alongside daggers, a small number of dress hewers were worn by certain personnel, reflecting traditional German organisational sidearms rather than combat equipment. While German Red Cross daggers are known to have been produced by Robert Klaas and PDL (Paul D. Lüneschloss), hewer production appears to have been far less standardised, with protected designs and limited surviving examples.

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