Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a high quality private-purchased RAD Labor Service NCO’s Greatcoat, with an earth brown wool outer shell. It features a six button double-breasted closure with a chocolate brown collar, which has a hook and loop closure. All of the buttons are the pebbled aluminum variety, maker marked and dated on the back and sewn directly to the fabric. The greatcoat is a tailor-made example, with a tag below the collar for a tailor in Worms, Germany.
The "sew-in" style schulterklappen (shoulder straps) are constructed with a row of fine silver flatware "Russia Braid" double piping with black chevrons woven in, outside of a row of olive brown double piping. As is standard both rows go around a button hole on the end. These have the correct black velvet backing for "General Service" as well, and the design is specific to the rank of Unterfeldmeister, which is also sometimes referred to as Haupttruppführer.
The left sleeve has a unit assignment shield hand stitched on (original stitching), which shows a machine embroidered white RAD inverted shovel with red numbers 250 / 2 in the center. This indicates the unit that they were a member of.
The greatcoat is in fair condition overall with scattered moth damage found across, but primarily on the front flaps around the buttons, the sleeves, and on the back. The interior shows sweat-staining from use and more moth damage on the cotton areas. This greatcoat saw a great deal of service as well as damage post-war.
Before the formation of the RAD from various labor service groups, the FAD (Freiwillingen Arbeitsdienst or Volunteer labor service) rank of Unterfeldmeister was actually the most junior officer rank, but when the RAD was formed, they became the most senior NCO rank. This is why the insignia used is a mixture of NCO and Officer in a way. The rank is roughly equivalent to a Heer Oberfeldwebel (Master Sergeant).
A fantastic RAD Labor Service Unterfeldmeister's greatcoat, complete with insignia and shoulder boards! Ready to add to your collection!
Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 9.5"
Shoulder to sleeve: 26”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15”
Chest width: 20”
Waist width: 20"
Hip width: 31.5”
Front length: 50"
- This product is available for international shipping. Shipping not available to: Australia, France, or Germany
- Due to legal restrictions this item cannot be shipped to Australia, France or Germany. This is not a comprehensive list and other countries may be added in the future.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon