History

The DAF (Deutsche Arbeitsfront = German Labour Front) was the result of a forced association of all German trade unions, established on May 10, 1933. Its purpose was the coordination and control of all aspects of German labour to serve the interests of the NSDAP. The DAF leader was Reichsleiter Robert Ley.

The Werkscharen (Factory Brigades) of the DAF were the “soldiers” of the organisation, formed in 1934. They were trained and organised as paramilitary, uniformed units, yet remained unarmed. Beginning in April 1937, active Werkschar units (Stoßtrupps) would wear silver-coloured insignia, while administrators wore gold-coloured insignia. Even though Werkscharen were not affiliated with the Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB, National Air Raid Protection League), during the war they often functioned as factory air raid protection auxiliaries.
Some companies, especially major corporations, used additional security personnel, which were dubbed Werkschutz (Factory Protection), and later Werksicherheitsdienst (Factory Security Service).

The DAF Visor Cap, introduced in early 1934, is dark blue with piping in the same colour and with a black silk cap band featuring a pattern of oak leaves. The interior features medium blue lining. This cap was not rank-restricted and could be worn by any male DAF member.

The earliest caps featured a black leather visor, however, this was quickly changed to black vulcan fibre. The chin strap was made of black leather. Beginning in 1935, a celluloid sweat diamond with the DAF emblem was placed inside the cap, but this was discontinued as of October of 1937.

An oval DAF cap badge featuring a swastika inside a cogwheel over crossed oak leaf branches was worn on the front of the cap. Early caps have half the insignia on the cap band and half on the cap top, while over the years the insignia was placed higher and higher, and eventually found its place entirely on the cap top and completely above the cap band.
Eventually, this cap badge was replaced by a “political” style eagle emblem insignia, the same that was worn by members of the NSDAP on their caps. For this version, see the DAF Werkschar Visor Cap.