Third Reich Unit Marked Red Cross EM/NCO Hewer With Frog and Portepee

The serrated blade of the hewer shows spots and substantial surface dirt, and the blade would no doubt benefit greatly from a careful cleaning, but overall it makes a very good appearance. The leather washer is in place at the top of the ricasso. The grip plates are without chips or cracks. The pommel and the guard exhibit some wear and speckling of the finish, although the finish is generally intact and it exhibits an uncleaned patina. The front edge of the throat of the scabbard shows several small pock marks. The reverse langet of the hewer is marked “Stendal ST 72”, reflecting ownership of the hewer by the German Red Cross detachment in the city of Stendal in Saxony-Anhalt. Tied around the grip is a porteppe which is shown in the reference book “”Edged Weapon Accoutrements of Germany 1800-1945” and which is identified in that book as the portepee for the enlisted ranks Red Cross hewer. The portepee is in essentially mint condition. The scabbard shows wear to the black paint, with the paint being approximately 80 percent intact. The leather frog is somewhat dry and it shows flaking of the surfaces but it is complete and intact.