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).

Members of Leader ranks in the DAF generally wore a silver or gold double open-claw buckle.

The DAF Werktrupp Buckle was first worn in early 1935, however, it was only officially introduced on September 14 of that year. The buckle is rectangular and silver-coloured, measuring 63x45mm, and features the DAF emblem, a mobile swastika inside a cogwheel with 14 cogs. It was worn on a 45mm black leather belt strap.

The DAF Werktrupp buckle is identical to the DAF Stoßtrupp buckle, except that the latter is silver-coloured.

Most buckles feature a smooth field, but a small number of buckles with a pebbled field exist.
A variant with a grey-green finish exists, however, its purpose is unknown.