Germany, Rad. An M37 Leader’s Hewer, With Hanger, By Eduard Wüsthof

(Reichsarbeitsdienst Dolch für Führer mit Gehänge). A well preserved Reichsarbeitsdienst (Reich Labour Service/RAD) M37 Leader’s Hewer, measuring 40 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 27 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and lower edge, forged with a gentle curvature. The blade features double-sided narrow fullers running approximately two-thirds of its length. Acid-etched onto the obverse is an inscription of “ARBEIT ADELT” (“LABOUR ENNOBLES”) in Fraktur script, while the reverse rivasso bears a maker’s mark of “ED. WÜSTHOF, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s trident logo. The blade sits securely within a nickel-silver crossguard, the obverse of which bears a raised RAD logo, with the seam covered by an intact black leather buffer pad. The handle grip is composed of two pieces of off-white celluloid, while the hilt completes with a pommel in the form of a double-sided eagle’s head. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a plated magnetic metal shaft with a pebbled mid-section and with wheat stalks and knotted designs etched around the outer circumference. The throat retains a functional spring catch, firmly holding the Hewer in place during storage. Emanating from the side are two loops for the accommodation of a hanger. Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some surface tarnishing to the blade and loss of finish to the scabbard. It is in a near extremely fine condition.

The Hewer is accompanied by a matching hanger, consisting of two brown leather straps descending from integral zink alloy rings. Each strap is adjusted with functional zink alloy buckles, and complete with functional spring clips of identical construction. Measuring 25 cm in total length as presented, minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include loss of finish to the zink elements and some fatigue to the leather straps. The hanger is in a near extremely fine condition.