Early Post-War - RAD Leader Hewer by Eickhorn

German WWII > Edged Weapons > RAD Daggers > RAD Leader Daggers

Model 1937 - Reichsarbeitsdienst Führer Haumesser by Carl Eickhorn of Solingen. So before I start describing, this was assembled immediately after surrender. There was a huge demand for souvenirs from US Vet's occupying Germany right after the war. Solingen workers assembled some daggers during this time to satisfy this demand. This RAD was assembled during this time. All the parts EXCEPT the scabbard and hiltare pre-1945 manufacture. A post war produced scabbard was used to complete this. The single edged, fullered, clip point style blade on this one looks good. The acid etched “Arbeit adelt” motto and the “Original Eickhorn Solingen” maker mark both look great. There are a couple stains and a "nail catcher" to the cutting edge. The tip comes to a perfect point and the fit remains nice and tight. The blade rates an Exc+. It has been heavily cleaned, leaving buff marks throughout. A partial buffer remains. The steel based, silver plated scabbard looks good. There are some stain from all tape. The dark patina does remain. It is completely dent free. It displays good details throughout, with the burnished: decorative swirls, random pebbling and wheat leaves. The pebbling is coarser than you will see on pre-1945 construction dagger. Both throat retaining screws remain intact. The plated and burnished hilt shows plating loss. If you look at the obverse hilt you will see the decorative lines to the area above the crossguard runs the wrong way. The crossguard retains good detail with the proud RAD emblem front and center. The white celluloid grip plates are not quality finished the way you would see war time production.