Third Reich Red Cross Enlisted Ranks Hewer

A very nice example of the enlisted ranks hewer for a member of the German Red Cross. The blade is bright with visible crossgrain and marked “Ges. Geschutzt” (short for “gesetzlich geschutzt”, or “legally protected”, the German equivalent of “patented” or “patent pending”). The black Bakelite grip is checkered on the obverse and smooth on the reverse. It is free of cracks or chips. The plating on the pommel and the crossguard have the typical specks but there is no lifting of the plating and they have an old, uncleaned, patina. The leather washer remains in place at the top of the blade. The black paint on the scabbard is approximately 90% intact. There is some spotting on the lower scabbard fitting. The leather carrying frog is in place on the scabbard and, while the leather is dry, the frog is complete and intact. It is manufacturer marked on the reverse and dated 1940.