History

The Technische Nothilfe (Technical Emergency Help), often abbreviated to TN or TeNo, was founded on September 30, 1919. Its stated purpose was to maintain vital infrastructure and facilities, and protect them during a time of economical and political turmoil. When the economy improved and political tensions became less pronounced during the mid to late 1920s, the TeNo was able to shift its focus to disaster relief, roadside assistance, and general civil defence, including civil air protection. In 1936, the organisation came under the control of the German police as an auxiliary force of the Ordnungspolizei (Order Police). During the war, TeNo units were deployed to virtually all occupied countries and front lines for technical support.

Sidearms were introduced in November 1938. All blades were manufactured by the company Carl Eickhorn from Solingen. On every blade’s reverse is a TN inspection mark, and a serial number on the blade’s obverse as well as the throat of the scabbard.

The Hewer was worn by enlisted men (excluding Anwärter) and NCOs. It is 400mm in length. It has either ivory or dark orange coloured plastic two-piece grip plates.

The Hewer was worn with a black leather frog with the strap of the knot (Troddel) wound around it. The knot was in aluminum for NCOs and grey for enlisted ranks. The colour of the stem of the knot signified the branch of service of the wearer. Green was worn by general service personnel, orange was worn by emergency service personnel, blue was worn by technical service personnel, and red was worn by air defense personnel. For NCO ranks, the stem had a zigzag pattern interspaced with white.