RAD Leader Buckle – Assmann

Product Description: This RAD Leader Buckle – Assmann is an appealing example of an uncommon buckle. The front of this buckle depicts the shovel and swastika organizational emblem of the Reichsarbeitsdienst, on a stippled background, surrounded by a wreath made of ears of wheat. The buckle is struck from aluminum that never had any painted finish. It shows signs of honest wear. The front retains lots of nice detail. There is a moderate patina from age and wear, with some dark build-up in the recesses. These are some scattered small spots of oxidation. The reverse of this RAD Leader Buckle – Assmann is complete, and all-aluminum, with a hook for the “keeper” on the belt as well as a fitting for affixing this to the belt. It’s well marked, with the stylized “A” logo of the firm of F. W. Assmann in Lüdenscheid, the date “37,” and “D.R.G.M.” indicating a trademarked design. The reverse retains most of the original dark finish. This buckle presents as uncleaned and all-original. The condition rates as excellent.

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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