A German Red Cross (DRK) Hewer with Frog

Measuring 415 mm with the scabbard on, this hewer features a 267 mm nickel plated steel blade, magnetic, with a serrated blade, sharp flat tip with blood grooves (fullers) on both sides and marked "GES. GESCHÜTZT" (Gesetzlich Geschützt) on the reverse ricasso. It retains its crossgraining, exhibiting light scratches, common to extraction and return to the scabbard, and a natural shine, with surface wear spots evident, measuring 397 mm in length, better than very fine. The brown leather washer at the crossguard junction has hardened and remains in intact. The medallion has fine vaulting to the swastika on the bird’s chest and the cross in its talons, with surface wear and contact evident on the insignia and the blank reverse medallion, along with light bubbling and contact on the crossguard. The obverse crisp checkered grip plate and the reverse smooth plate with light contact, both plates free of chipping. All screws are original and intact but have surface rust present, with similar light bubbling and contact on the pommel, as that appearing on the crossguard. The black painted scabbard is magnetic, silvered metal finial and locket are retained via two screws each, matching black painted frog stud on the obverse, the body and frog stud with scattered contact marks and wear, free of dents, surface wear and light contact on the finial, light contact on the locket, from very active use, measuring 280 mm in length. Accompanying leather frog is dyed black and remains very supple, with heavy, durable, quality stitching, reinforced with four rivets, exhibiting overall wear, with some loss of the surface layer and exposing the underlying brown texture of the leather, the frog measuring 65 mm x 225 mm. Better than very fine.