Germany, RAD. A Reich Labour Service M37 Officer’s Hewer, by Carl Eickhorn

(Haumesser für Offizier der Reichsarbeitsdienst). A Reich Labour Service (RAD) Officer’s Hewer, measuring 400 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 260 mm-long magnetic steel blade with a gentle curvature, completing with a sharpened tip and lower edge. A fuller runs the length of the blade near the top edge of both the obverse and reverse. Acid-etched onto the obverse is an inscription of “ARBEIT ADELT” (“LABOUR ENNOBLES”) in Fraktur script, while the reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s classic logo of a squirrel clutching a sword. The blade sits firmly within a one-piece silver-plated alloy hilt, featuring a crossguard bearing a raised RAD insignia on the obverse. Two pieces of white celluloid comprise the handle grip, and are secured together with a single magnetic metal rivet. The hewer completes with a pommel consisting of a stylized double-sided eagle’s head. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a magnetic metal shaft with central pebbling, flanked on the obverse by RAD-style wheat stalks. Dual integral loops set into the upper third of the shaft accommodate a hanger for uniform suspension. The throat is held together by dual side rivets and retains a functional spring catch, securely holding the hewer in place during storage. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include significant pitting and oxidation to the blade, oxidation and loss of finish to the silver-plated elements with evidence of repair to the crossguard insignia, and a crack to the celluloid of the obverse handle. It is in an overall fair condition.