The German Labor Service (Reichsarbeitsdienst, RAD) was organized in 1934 to provide work for German men during the depths of the Great Depression. They worked tirelessly on public projects across Germany, including building some 7,000 km of the massive autobahn freeway system. Akin to the US Works Progress Administration in organization and purpose, the RAD differed from the WPA in one obvious aspect, that RAD laborers were imbued with the tenets of National Socialism. During the war, the RAD helped build the Atlantic Wall, manned anti-aircraft flak batteries, and later committed troops to combat. As with most German organizations during WW2, they were paramilitary in nature, and RAD enlisted men wore military style uniforms and carried impressive "hewers" as a mark of rank and status. The hewer was more than just ceremonial, it had a practical purpose for clearing brush and use as an ax. With its impressive size and overt Germanic design, the RAD EM hewer was a favorite war souvenir among US Army troops in the ETO. This German WW2 Carl Eickhorn RAD Labor Service Stag Handle EM Hewer Dagger is in Very Good Condition, with some light scattered chipping to the blade edge, some scattered small nicks to the top false edge and along each side of the blade spine, some scratching and scabbard wear at each side of the blade, some light smoothing to the handle scales, some finish abrading to both sides of the tang, a few spots of finish abrading to the pommel, and with some scattered age wear evident. Most interestingly, it features a bright plated 9 11/16" clip point slightly upswept scimitar blade with a thin fuller running most of the length at each side, sports gorgeous, mellow genuine stag handle scales secured by two nickel plated metal screws, and is etched at the ricasso with the classic ca. 1941-45 “squirrel” logo of its maker, the famous “CARL EICKHORN / SOLINGEN”, along with “GES. GESCH.” above, and “RADJ” in a triangle even further above. The hewer carries the motto of the RAD, “Arbeit adelt” (translating to “Work Ennobles”), etched in Gothic script along the lower right side of the blade, boasts a nickel plated steel guard, bolster, tang, and “bird’s head” pommel, and is complete with the original German WW2 RAD EM Hewer Metal Scabbard in Very Good Condition, with moderate drying and surface cracking to the leather belt hanger at the upper left side, some light denting to the right side edge of the bottom end tip, some scattered scratching, finish abrading, and spot patina throughout, and with some scattered age wear evident. Most interestingly, it retains approximately 75% of the original glossy black painted finish on the body, bears the original nickel plated metal throat and end tip, with decorative intertwined lines embellishing each side of the throat, the traditional German RAD “swastika and shovel head” design embellishing each side of the end tip, and a line of rings embellishing both, and exhibits the original black leather belt hanger with “D” ring at the upper left side. The set is a fine example of a rare, original German WW2 Carl Eickhorn RAD Labor Service Stag Handle EM Hewer Dagger.

Per the consignor, this item has been in his family's possession since his father, Staff Sergeant Ernest Meyers, was discharged from the Army in January, 1946. SSG Meyers served in the Headquarters Company, 1st battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment of the 80th "Blue Ridge Division". A signed letter from SSG Meyers' son is included with this item.