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 Werkschar Jacket is in the form of a dark blue waist coat closed by three buttons. The buttons are silver-coloured for lower ranks and gold-coloured for Stammführer. It also has six metal belt ramps at the waist band, the colour is the same as the colours of the buttons. There is another black button concealed beneath the belt buckle. It features two pleated patch pockets with angled straight edge buttoned flaps. The lay-down collar has a large black button under the right lapel for closing. There are two buttons each at the end of the sleeves.