Germany, RAD. An Officer’s Brocade and Buckle

(Reichsarbeitsdienst Gürtel mit Schnalle). A Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) Officer’s brocade and buckle, constructed of a padded slate-grey cotton base, the exterior bearing a full-width silver aluminum wire tresse, overlaid by three olive-drab machine-embroidered stripes, wrapped with dual sliding loops of identical construction, one end bearing a reverse brown leather tongue perforated with nine sets of dual eyelets for an adjustable fit, the tongue bearing an embossed number of “95”, otherwise unmarked, measuring 45 mm (w) x 950 mm (l), with moderate but consistent material fatigue reflecting period wear evident to both the silver aluminum wire tresse and the leather tongue, in overall very fine condition; one end of the belt stitched into a loop which retains a buckle, constructed of aluminum, the obverse consisting of a circular wheat wreath, surrounding an RAD insignia consisting of a raised shovel head overlaid by a mobile swastika, the reverse with a clip and loop, maker marked with the logo of F.W. Assmann & Söhne, Lüdenscheid, and stamped with a manufacture date of “38”, measuring 48 mm in diameter, with the buckle’s separate attachment claws retaining in place by the belt’s tongue, in overall extremely fine condition.