RAD EM Buckle

Product Description: This RAD EM Buckle is a nice, representative example of the belt buckle worn by enlisted men of the Reichsarbeitsdienst. This one is made of aluminum, and probably dates from the 1930s, though this style was worn through the end of the war. The obverse shows moderate wear, with some high points worn smooth. It never had any paint; these were issued as bare aluminum. This buckle has an attractive, light, even patina throughout. The reverse is all aluminum, with an integral catch for the belt hook and a roller bar and prongs assembly that is complete and functional, with no damage or repairs to note. It’s maker marked near the catch, with a stylized “FCL” in a circle indicating manufacture by the firm of Dr. Franke & Co. in Lüdenscheid. The recesses of the design on the reverse have an uncleaned old patina. This RAD EM Buckle remains in very good condition overall.

Historical Description: The belt buckle was an important part of the regalia worn by all uniformed military, civil, political and paramilitary organizations during the Third Reich. The belt (“Koppel”) was part of the uniform and would always be worn while on duty. The belt buckle (“Koppelschloss”) was generally specific to each organization, with many organizations having separate belt buckles for officers and for enlisted personnel, sometimes with different colors and finishes to further denote specific purposes. The buckles were adorned with various mottos and designs specific to the organizations for which they were intended. Many designs used the German national eagle emblem, in a variety of forms. Belt buckles were worn with uniforms ranging from finely tailored officer parade uniforms, to the issue uniforms of enlisted soldiers in combat. Generally speaking, most German belt buckles of the Third Reich were made with two prongs on the reverse, to allow the buckle to be worn and adjusted on a belt. The buckle had a catch that would mate with a hook on the belt, when worn. The earliest Third Reich buckles were often made of brass, or nickel silver. Later, aluminum became very common, and was used on private purchase as well as enlisted buckles of the German military, with or without a painted or plated finish. After WWII began, most enlisted military buckles were steel. Nazi belt buckles were popular souvenirs for Allied troops who served in Europe. Some types were made by the millions and remain quite common today. Others were made in limited numbers and are very rare.

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