RAD Swallows Nests
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 80.GOR.03.02.10.003.000
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
Seven vertical strips of fine silver-coloured wire interlaced with white threading, each with a strip of red embroidery in the centre, separated by eight black felt panels, the bottom row of arched trim incorporating the same fine silver-coloured wire interlaced with white threading, with a strip of red embroidery in the centre and trimmed in black felt piping, light brown cotton reverse with five black clips for uniform attachment, 97 mm x 233 mm each, extremely fine.
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 RAD Swallows Nests were worn by members of the drum-and-fife corps and fanfare trumpeters, and only when performing. They have a black field with seven vertical silver/coloured stripes with a red center, and an identical stripe along the bottom.
Drum majors wore the same design, but with the addition of a fringe.
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