Original German WWII DRK (German Red Cross) Leader’s Dagger With Rare Social Welfare Hanger & Portepee
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Product Code: ORDRKLDR4
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Original German WWII DRK (German Red Cross) Leader’s Dagger With Rare Social Welfare Hanger & Portepee
This is an authentic and very well-preserved example of a German WWII DRK (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz – German Red Cross) Leader’s Dagger, complete with its original scabbard, Social Welfare hanger, and matching portepee. These daggers were worn by DRK officers and Social Welfare officials and are among the more distinctive and visually striking edged weapons of the period.
Grip: The dagger retains its correct orange celluloid grip, which remains in excellent condition overall. The color is vibrant and attractive, with no cracks or significant damage noted. There is slight looseness to the grip, consistent with natural material shrinkage over time, which is commonly encountered on these examples.
Pommel & Crossguard: The aluminum pommel and crossguard retain a pleasing matte finish with light, even age wear. The crossguard is the correct DRK pattern, with the obverse displaying the Red Cross eagle with swastika to the breast clutching a Geneva-style cross, while the reverse features the plain raised oval. The pommel cap (cover nut) shows a small nick, likely from a period attempt at disassembly, but remains intact and undisturbed overall.
Blade: The blade is unmarked, as typically encountered on these daggers, and remains in near mint to excellent condition. It retains a bright finish with visible crossgraining and only minor scattered gray spotting and light surface wear. The blade presents extremely well and is one of the highlights of this example.
Scabbard: The scabbard retains its original pebbled finish throughout, showing honest age toning and light oxidation in areas. The pebbling remains crisp and well-defined on both panels. The scabbard is straight and structurally sound, with all fittings tight. There is a small visible dent to the front, which is noted for accuracy but does not detract significantly from the overall display. The throat is secured by its original side screws, which appear untouched.
Hanger: The dagger is complete with its original Social Welfare hanger, constructed with the correct subdued gray striped fabric. The hanger shows expected age and use, but remains complete and very displayable. The velvet backing is still intact, and all metal hardware is present, solid, and functional. These hangers are highly desirable and are often encountered separately, typically valued in the $700–$1,000 range on their own.
Portepee: Also included is the original Social Welfare portepee, which is notably scarce. It shows visible age and wear, particularly to the knot, likely from storage, but remains complete and correctly tied to the dagger. The subdued gray coloration is correct for Social Welfare issue and adds significantly to the desirability and completeness of the set.
Overall: A rare and highly collectible DRK Leader’s Dagger set, complete with its original scabbard, Social Welfare hanger, and scarce matching portepee. Featuring a near mint blade, attractive fittings, and honest untouched condition throughout, this is a textbook example suitable for the advanced collector. Comparable examples are currently being offered in the $2,400–$2,600 range with hanger alone, making this complete set with portepee an especially desirable offering.
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