DAF Leader Dress Buckle
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 81.GOR.02.02.01.001.000
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
Silvered metal buckle with a two-piece construction on the right end, marked with RZM (Reichszeugmeisterei) insignia and maker marked "M4/80" (Lind & Meyrer, Oberstein) on the reverse, illustrating the DAF cogwheel insignia surrounded by a wreath of laurel leaves, the buckle measuring 48 mm. Scattered silvering wear on the buckle and receiving clip, a few nips evident in the aluminum wire upper, crazing present on the upper on the leather tab. Near extremely fine. This particular belt with buckle is illustrated in black and white on pages 342-343 and in colour on page 639 of "Belt Buckles & Brocades of the Third Reich, Revised Edition" by John R. Angolia and came from his personal collection.
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).
Members of Leader ranks in the DAF generally wore a silver or gold double open-claw buckle.
A dress buckle was introduced in 1942. The buckle is round and silver-coloured with a domed centre, superimposed on which is the DAF emblem, a mobile swastika inside a cogwheel with 14 cogs. The emblem is surrounded by a full laurel wreath held together at the bottom by a ribbon. The buckle was worn on a brocade dress belt strap in silver on a black backing with two or three black stripes.
All known examples were made by the Assmann company.
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