Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK) Hauer für Mannschaften und Unterführer

The German WW2 Red Cross (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, DRK) hewer was a distinctive, multi-purpose edged weapon issued to enlisted personnel as both a dress item and a practical tool for medical tasks such as preparing splints and casts. A separate, more ornate dagger was issued to officers. The tip was intentionally blunt and squared off to comply with the Geneva Conventions, which prohibited medical staff from carrying offensive weapons. The blade featured a single cutting edge and a double row of saw teeth along the spine for practical use in the field. The reverse of the blade is typically stamped with "GES. GESCHUTZT" (Protected by Law) just behind the crossguard. The hilt fittings (crossguard and pommel) were made of a white metal base with a thin nickel plating. The grips were typically black Bakelite secured by two screws, with the obverse (front) grip often having a diamond grooved pattern. The crossguard featured an oval medallion with a German Eagle clutching a Red Cross symbol with a swastika superimposed on its chest. The scabbard was made of magnetic sheet metal, painted black, with nickel-plated top and bottom fittings (chape and locket) secured by small screws. The hewer was carried in a specific black leather frog, which is often missing when the hewer is found today

This item:
Hewer for enlisted man and sub-leaders. Executed in "Feinzink". Clean and very well preserved blade. Stamped "Ges. Geschützt" on the ricasso, undamaged grip scales, well-preserved nickel plating, scabbard with it's original factory lacquer still over 95% intact, complete with carrying case stamped "H" on the reverse, worn and in untouched and very good condition.