RAD Belt and Buckles

The main subject of this article is the development of belts and brocade belts for the male lower-level (Untere fairer: Vormann through and including Unterfeldmeister), middle-class (Mittlere fairer: Feldmeister through and including Oberstfeldmeister) and higher ranked officers (Hoherefuhrer: Arbeitsfuhrer through and including Reichsarbeitsfuhrer) from the Reichsarbeitsdienst (further referred to as RAD) between 1934 and 1945 (see note for explanation). The subject of females is not included, but one specific female uniform is mentioned.

Dozens of Arbeitsdienst organizations (further referred to as AD: labor organizations) were formed by left and rightwing political organizations, sports clubs and religious groups from 1931. In 1933 most of them were dissolved or absorbed into the most important labor organizations: the Staatlicher Anhaltischer Arbeitsdienst; the Stahlhelm-Arbeitsdienstand the Verein zur Umschulung freiwilliger Arbeitskrufte (VzU), the earliest true Nazi labor organization. The last two were the embryo of the registered Nat. Soz. Arbeitsdienstthat (NSAD) which was an NSDAP organization from May 3, 1934. The NSAD was short-lived. On June 26,1935 the Reichsarbeitsdienstgesetz (National Labor Service Law) was proclaimed and the AD was renamed Reichsarbeitsdienst. On September 12,1935 the "old AD'' marched for the last time during the NSDAP Party Day rally at Nurnberg. In a speech, Adolf Hitler officially said "farewell'' to the Freiwilliger Arbeitsdienst (FAD).

Because of the many organizations, a wide variety of labor uniforms was worn as well as many buckles and one or double-claw pattern buckles. In early 1933 plans were begun to standardize the color and style of the AD uniforms. In September the color for the new uniform, referred to as Einheitstracht, was officially announced. It was intended to be worn by all members, to include the enlisted ranks as well as officers. Reichsarbeitsfuhrer Konstantin Hierl was the first person to wear the new uniform during the 1933 NSDAP PartyDay rally, the Reichsparteitag des Glaubens. The further introduction of the various uniform parts was scheduled for late 1933, to be worn from 1934.

Many buckle types (and belts) from the dominant Freiwilliger Arbeitsdienst are known to the collecting world. These various forms will not be discussed in this article. Also not discussed will be those worn by the Staatlicher Anhaltischer Arbeitsdienst, the Stahlhelm-Arbeitsdienst or the VzU. Later, the author may return to these interesting subjects.

AD Buckle Description, 1933:

The only official AD belt buckle from 1933 is mentioned as this was worn by lower class officers as well. This rectangular one-piece buckle, worn with a brown belt, is approximately 4.7 x6.3cm and is made of Neusilber (for explanation, see article "Hitler Youth, Belts and Brocades," part 1 "TheMilitary Advisor" Vol. 12, No. 1). In dull silver, it was meant for the walking out dress. The field of the buckle is pebbled and features a flat-edged spade, flanked by wheat at a 45 degree angle on each side. This motif is surrounded by a circle with an approximately 4.3cm diameter. The inner field of the circle is pebbled also. This pattern was manufactured by various firms. The main manufacturers including the designer of this pattern - the F.W. Assmann & Sohne concern (article#21766); Wilhelm Schroeder (article #7021); Steinhauer & Luck (article # K9479) Berg & Nolte A.G.; Overhoff & Cie and Paulmann & Crone, all from Ludenscheid. Additionally, other firms manufactured this official pattern.

The iron one-piece buckle with the same motif, but not having a pebbled field outside the ring, was painted field grey and was the buckle to be worn with the service or working dress (note: the field-grey version was manufactured with a pebbled outer field also). The main manufacturers of this type of buckle were: F.W. Assmann concern, and also Friedrich Linden (article # 4779). It should be stressed that the above buckles were the only official versions. Persons of a lower ranked function wore a brown belt with a shoulder belt. Higher ranked officers were ordered to wear the brown belt and shoulder belt, but with an open double-claw buckle instead of the rectangular one. Many photographs show that enlisted ranks also wore a shoulder belt. This was due to the fact that within many organizations, for example, the Stahlhelm-Arbeisdienst, the Staatlicher Anhaltischer Arbeitsdienst, as well as the VzU (the Nazi AD organization), such belts were commonly worn.

1933-1936:

Details for the new AD uniforms were published in orders dated October 16 and November 2, 1933. In these orders the belt, shoulder belt and the belt and shoulder belt trim set (see note) were mentioned. This was soon followed by detailed descriptions and samples which were supplied to all Gauleitungen, to be kept at the Musterkammer (the Chamberof Samples). The above mentioned rectangular buckles were officially abolished with an order dated December 14,1933. The new items had to be worn in early 1934. Supplying, however, was a step by step process, and thus the rectangular buckle continued to be worn for some time, even into 1935.

AD Belt and Buckle, 1934:

It is not this author's intention to burden the readers of "Military Advisor" with another listing of procedures and details, as all this information is given in the 1936 specifications. The 4.5cm wide belt was a darker brown for enlisted ranks and a lighter brown for higher ranked officers. Enlisted ranks, as well as lower and higher ranked officers,were ordered to wear the same matte, silver pebbled (wildmatt) claw buckle with an approximate 4.6 x 6.2cm size. Two official patterns exist: one having the inner-claw which cannot be moved; the other has a movable inner-claw. The main manufacturers again were F.W. Assmann & Sohne and Overhoff & Cie from Ludenscheid. Period photographs indicate that higher ranked officers wore larger open-claw buckles. This was basically contrary to the new regulations.

Persons with a lower ranked function (Unterfuhrer), as well as higher ranked officers (Fuhrer), persons with the ranks of Unterfeldmeister and upwards, as well as musicians (Musik-and Obermusikmeister, as well as Musikinspizient),were authorized to wear the belt with shoulder belt. They had to obtain this set of items at their own expense. The wear of the belt with claw buckle and shoulder strap was also permitted by those who were granted to wear a uniform, for example, on most occasions by honorary ranked individuals and doctors. Enlisted ranks were supplied from RAD (and earlier FAD) stocks.

RAD members, attending the 1935 Party Day rally, were ordered to wear the brown belt, with the new belt buckle pattern, which would be officially introduced for all in early 1936. This buckle, designed by the well-known Egon Jantke from Berlin, was produced quickly and stocks kept at an Arbeitsgau. The formerly used materials such as Neusilber were officially forbidden to be used after April 1935 for a number of products. Manufacturers scurried to find a cheap and simple production process,and came up with the use of aluminum and other light-weight metals. These materials were commonly used from early 1936 for the manufacture of many kinds of products. The RAD was one of the first organizations to use buckles made from these materials. An order dated December 19, 1935, ordered the ranks of Generalarbeitsfuhrer, Obergeneralarbeitsfuhrer and the Reichsarbeitsfuhrer to wear a gold double-claw buckle and gold trim set. Continued....

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Wilhelm P.B.R. Saris, "Reicharbeitsdienst Belts and Brocade Belts", "The Military Advisor", 2004