Germany, TeNo. An Enlisted Personnel Hewer, by Carl Eickhorn

(Technische Nothilfe Hauer für Männer und Unterführer). A well-preserved Technical Emergency Help (Technische Nothilfe/TeNo) Enlisted personnel hewer, measuring 410 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 250 mm-long curved, polished magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and lower edge. A fuller runs the length of each side of the blade near the top edge. 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 ricasso also bears a stamped TeNo-style German national eagle. It sits securely within a one-piece silvered metal alloy hilt, with the seam covered by an intact black leather buffer pad. The obverse crossguard bears a raised TeNo-style German national eagle with a hooked quillon. Two pieces of white celluloid comprise the handle grip, and are secured in place with two magnetic metal rivets. The hooked pommel features an additional raised cogwheel on the obverse. Accompanying the hewer is its period original scabbard, constructed of a black-painted magnetic metal shaft with polished magnetic fixtures secured to both the tip and throat with dual side rivets. The latter retains a functional spring catch, firmly holding the hewer in place during storage, and features an integral loop for the accommodation of an optional frog. Stamped onto the throat is an issue number of “8481”. The blade demonstrates minor oxidation and running marks, the silver-plated elements have lost most of their finish, and some scratching and loss of paint is evident to the scabbard shaft. An uncommon hewer in overall very fine condition.