Germany. An Interesting and Rare FAD/RAD Photo

Measuring 90x140mm, near extremely fine with scuffing of the edges. The picture postcard shows a photo of two men that can serve as a case study of the different uniforms of the RAD (Reichsarbeitsdienst = Reich Labour Service) and its precursor, the FAD/NSAD (Freiwilliger Arbeitsdienst, Voluntary Labour Service, or Nationalsozialistischer Arbeitsdienst, National Socialist Labour Service). The RAD was established in 1935. Consequently, the picture must have been taken around this time, during the mid 1930s, the transition time between the two organisations. The man on the left wears a FAD uniform. These weren’t standardised, and so would be slightly different from member to member. The visor cap shows the FAD symbol, a straight-edged spade with two wheat ears, over a cockade. In contrast, the man on the right wears the typical RAD cloth cap, known at the time by the nickname of “Kaffeebohne” (coffee bean), and known among collectors as Robin Hood cap. The RAD headgear insignia shows a rounded spade with a tip and two wheat ears. Both men wear tunics of similar, yet different design. The biggest difference between them is the fact that the RAD tunic has a dark brown collar on an earth-brown tunic, something that was introduced already during the days of the FAD, but in this case the FAD tunic’s collar is in the same colour as the tunic. The FAD member also wears breeches, which in the RAD were only worn by officer ranks, which neither of the two men qualify for, since neither of them have any collar patches or shoulder boards, placing them in the lowest rank of Arbeitsmann. Consequently, the RAD member, following RAD regulations, wears trousers. A closer look at the men’s belt buckles shows the same differences in FAD and RAD symbols as the cap insignia do. The FAD member’s belt buckle shows a straight-edged spade, whereas the spade of the RAD member’s belt buckle is rounded.