RAD Winter Cap
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 80.GOR.01.01.04.002.000
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
An extremely well-preserved Reich Labour Service (RAD) EM/NCO’s winter field cap, constructed of olive-green wool. The cap features fold-down side panels offering neck and ear protection which, when not in use are folded up and held together by a single silvered, pebbled aluminum button, maker marked on the obverse with “K & Q” for Klein & Quenzer, Idar-Oberstein. The peak of the cap bears an insignia in the form of a machine-embroidered, multicoloured cotton thread RAD logo on an olive-green wool backer, measuring 54 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). The exterior features are completed by a protruding visor with a cardboard reinforcement. The interior features a complete light brown cotton liner, unmarked with the exception of a black ink size stamp of “58”. The cap measures approximately 195 mm (w) x 275 mm (l) x 140 mm (h). While there is a crack to the centre of the cardboard reinforcement, the cap is otherwise free of evident faults in is in an overall extremely fine condition.
The RAD (Reichsarbeitsdienst = Reich Labour Service) was officially established on June 26, 1935 as the sole, and compulsory, labour service of Germany. Its purposes were to help the economy, curb unemployment, and indoctrinate its members with the NSDAP ideology, as well as play its part in militarising the German population.
The FAD (Freiwilliger Arbeitsdienst = Voluntary Labour Service) was the precursor of the RAD in the early 1930s. Official uniform regulations were first introduced on October 1, 1933, with modifications made in July 1934. It is also known as NSAD (Nationalsozialistischer Arbeitsdienst = National Socialist Labour Service).
The earliest uniforms were a not entirely successful attempt at standardisation. They gave way to a second wave of FAD uniforms that, when the RAD was established, experienced no significant changes.
The Wintermütze (Winter Cap) was introduced in 1942 and used as ski wear and special winter wear. It is very similar to the Visored Field Cap M43, with flaps to pull down over ears and neck, but made of heavier wool. Another difference is that the M43 Cap usually has two buttons, whereas the Winter Cap usually has only one button; however, exception are known to exist.
The cap features the RAD emblem on the front.
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