{"product_id":"wwii-german-rad-belt-buckle-1938-dated-leather-tab-named-to-johann-baues-unit-2-256","title":"WWII RAD Belt Buckle-1938 Dated Leather Tab-Named to Johann Baues-Unit 2\/256","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOffered is an impressive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorld War II-era German Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) enlisted man’s belt buckle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, complete with its attached 1938-dated leather tab and a personalized identification label naming \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArbeitsmann Johann Baues of RAD Abteilung 2\/256\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a particularly interesting example of German Third Reich-era uniform equipment, distinguished by its attractive condition, dated leather attachment, and surviving identification label connecting the piece to a named member of the Reich Labour Service.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Background\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD), or German Reich Labour Service, was a national labor organization established under the Nazi government. Originally developed from earlier voluntary labor programs, the RAD became a compulsory service organization in 1935.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYoung German men were generally required to complete a period of labor service, typically involving agricultural work, road construction, land reclamation, and other public infrastructure projects. As World War II progressed, RAD personnel increasingly supported military operations, including construction of defensive positions, airfields, and fortifications.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRAD personnel wore distinctive uniforms and insignia, including the organization’s recognizable spade-and-swastika emblem, representing labor and service to the German state.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuckle Description\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe buckle features the traditional RAD enlisted personnel design, consisting of a central upright spade bearing a swastika, surrounded by a circular wreath of wheat ears.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe face displays an attractive silver-tone finish with a finely pebbled background and raised decorative elements. The detailed wreath, central insignia, and textured surface remain well defined.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse retains its double-prong belt attachment and integral hook assembly, with visible surface patina and wear consistent with its present condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1938 Dated Leather Tab\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAttached to the buckle is a brown leather tab displaying an oval manufacturer’s stamp and the date \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1938\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe leather retains its stitched attachment and exhibits natural creasing, surface wear, and discoloration. The manufacturer’s oval marking is visible, although the complete manufacturer’s name has not yet been conclusively identified.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 1938 date is particularly desirable, placing the marked leather tab in the prewar period, shortly before the outbreak of World War II.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNamed Identification – Johann Baues\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the most interesting features of this example is the surviving identification label sewn onto the leather.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe label reads:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArbeitsmann\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBaues Johann\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2\/256\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis identifies the named individual as Johann Baues, holding the RAD enlisted rank of Arbeitsmann, with the designation 2\/256, apparently referring to his assigned RAD unit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNamed examples of German uniform equipment offer an additional dimension of historical interest, as they provide a potential starting point for researching the original serviceman and his unit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhile the personal history of Johann Baues has not yet been established, the presence of this identification label makes the buckle especially interesting to collectors of German militaria and historically attributable uniform equipment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eCountry:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Germany\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eOrganization:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Third Reich \/ WWII era\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eType:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Enlisted personnel belt buckle\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDesign:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e RAD spade and swastika within wheat wreath\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eFinish:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Silver-tone metal\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eAttachment:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Double-prong belt fitting with hook\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eLeather:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Brown leather attachment tab\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1938, stamped on leather\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Oval maker’s stamp present; exact maker not confirmed\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eNamed Individual:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Johann Baues\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eRank:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Arbeitsmann\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eUnit Designation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 2\/256\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eIdentification:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sewn cloth name and unit label\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery good collectible appearance overall.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe buckle retains strong detail throughout the central emblem, surrounding wreath, and textured background. The metal displays minor surface wear, light discoloration, and age-related patina.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse hardware appears complete, retaining both attachment prongs and the belt hook.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe brown leather tab remains attached and displays expected age-related wear, including creasing, surface marks, and discoloration. The manufacturer’s stamp and 1938 date remain visible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe identification label exhibits age-related staining and wear but retains legible lettering identifying Johann Baues and his unit designation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe originality of the individual components and their association has not been independently authenticated.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and condition assessment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67922888753229,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/9229\/8829\/files\/camera-D2CFA3FA-42B3-43D2-9C26-1FE76E87C21E.jpg?v=1794163154","url":"https:\/\/whiskeyrebellionantiques.com\/products\/wwii-german-rad-belt-buckle-1938-dated-leather-tab-named-to-johann-baues-unit-2-256","provider":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}