June 13, 20206 yr #1 This is a WWII German Red Cross DRK (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz) enlisted dress dagger, also called a "ewer." The blade is in great condition but the grips, guard and pommel were trashed. There is no scabbard. Here's what it looks like with the broken pieces installed: And with the broken pieces removed:
June 13, 20206 yr Author #2 IMA - a forum sponsor - has this example of a complete intact DRK enlisted dagger: If you have one, post it here.
June 15, 20206 yr #4 Here is a really nice one I found in a storage unit auction several years ago that now hangs on my wall. Complete with its leather frog. They are interesting pieces. Checkered grip on obverse, smooth on reverse. Kind of like the RAD hewer, made for use and they are difficult to find in nice condition. I remember standing for hours on an unseasonably warm November day for the chance to bid. When the hammer came down at $150, the sunburn was worth it.
June 15, 20206 yr Author #5 29 minutes ago, warguy said: When the hammer came down at $150, the sunburn was worth it. A nice intact one like yours is about 5 times that now!
June 27, 20206 yr #6 Bob, With the handguards removed on the metal slabs are the initials PDL present? There were only 2 known makers of the Red Cross enlisted Hewer, Klass and PDL and these makers were most common for placing hallmarks on the tangs with very distinct differences between the 2 makers. There is possibly a third maker, Eickhorn,, as a TR period printed booklet shows the Red Cross hewer among their catalog of products.. Have never seen one made by this firm yet... Had the scabbard come with your hewer and it had 2 screws in the lower portion of the scabbard it would have indicated a Klass made Hewer. PDL hewer scabbards did not have the two screws, they used slip sleeves on the scabbard end, and the details in the Eagle differed from Klass as well.. I have what I believe is a PDL made Red Cross hewer (Based on research) as I have not attempted to remove the handle screws since they are tight and the risk of cracking the handles are not worth the risk. The last picture shows the PDL makers mark on the tang of a dagger where the handles were removed... Leigh
June 27, 20206 yr #7 @ warguy, Based on what I am seeing in the photos your Hewer scabbard is a Klass made example.. with the 2 lower screws.. If the blade has not been switched out with another scabbard there is a good chance it is also Klass... Leigh
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