Product Details
A GERMAN RED CROSS (DRK) LEADERS DAGGER,
circa 1939, with 10in. double-edged blade, cast cross-guard featuring the eagle emblem of the German Red Cross (DRK) combined with a swastika, pale orange ribbed plastic hilt and cast pommel (some bubbling to finish on pommel) TOGETHER WITH its original pebble-finished plated scabbard and 'medical issue' bullion hanger
Provenance: In the early years of the 3rd Reich, the German Branch of the Red Cross (DRK) was the main social welfare organisation in times of hardship. In December 1939, Hitler conferred a new legal status on the Red Cross by recognising it as a national organisation with some independence from Geneva. With this new status, the DRK expanded in size and remit within Germany. It expanded its organisation into two distinct branches, those active in medicine, nursing and first aid, (the Red Cross) and those responsible for charitable and social works such as caring for children, the old and the homeless (the Social Welfare). During WW2, the DRK became involved in both the home front and the International scene, tracing and monitoring prisoners of war. Although the members, both male and female, were on a non-salaried basis, a full-time cadre of uniformed salaried leaders supervised them. The DRK incorporated the ever-present eagle and swastika with the International Red Cross symbol in the design of their own distinctive insignia. The DRK leaders dagger represented here was introduced in February 1938 for dress wear by officers of the rank of Wachtfuhrer and above. The hanger came in two double strap varieties. Staff involved in medical and first aid duties had tan brown velvet faced straps with red bordered aluminium stripes and finished with plain oval buckles, slides and clip (as offered here) and Social welfare officers wore grey velvet straps with blue bordered aluminium facings. The hanger straps had pebbled rectangular buckles, clips and slides. Although the dagger ceased production in 1940 it was still being worn by officers until the end of the war. See also Lot 372 for the Enlisted Mans version of this dagger.
Estimate £400-600