Germany, RAD. A 1940 Dedicated Miniature M37 Leader’s Hewer, by Alcoso

(Reichsarbeitsdienst Miniatur Hauer für Leiter). A well-preserved Reichsarbeitsdienst (Reich Labour Service/RAD) miniature M37 Leader’s Hewer, measuring 26 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features an 18 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a gentle curvature and sharpened tip. Acid-etched onto the obverse of the blade is an inscription of “ARBEIT ADELT” (“LABOUR ENNOBLES”) in Fraktur script. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “ALCOSO” for the former firm of Alexander Coppel in Solingen, situated above the company’s scale logo. It sits firmly within a nickel-silver crossguard, the obverse of which bears a detailed RAD logo. The one-piece nickel silver hilt features a double-sided eagle’s head pommel, with a handle grip consisting of two pieces of off-white celluloid. It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of nickel-silver. The shaft is partially pebbled and has two loops for the accommodation of a hanger. Etched onto the reverse is a dedication reading “SONDER-PREIS D. R.A.D. F. ARBEIT Z. SCH. KIEL, NORDSEE, 1940”, indicating the dagger was presented to an RAD member as a special token in Kiel. Demonstrating only minor surface tarnishing to the nickel-plated elements, this superb miniature hewer is in an overall near extremely fine condition.