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Original belt buckle issued to personnel of the Reich Labour Service (Reichsarbeitsdienst – RAD), complete with its factory-attached leather tab.
The front center features a sharply struck organizational emblem showing an upward-pointing spade blade with a swastika placed in the center.
The central design is enclosed within a detailed circular wreath of wheat ears, set against a fine pebbled background designed to reduce field reflections.
The reverse of the aluminum body is clearly stamped with the raised manufacturer identification initials C.T.D. denoting Christian Theodor Dicke.
The buckle retains its genuine light-brown leather tab secured by robust, original yellow-beige contrast stitching.
The leather surfaces features a highly legible, oval manufacturer stamp showing the full maker name CH. TH. DICKE, the 1938 production date, and LÜDENSCHEID location.
The functional dual-prong fastening bar assembly and corresponding catch remain completely operational and physically sound.
The item showcases natural aging, minor field wear along the edges, and flexible leather preservation, offering a textbook example of pre-war German service equipment.
Historical context:
The Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) was a major state institution established to provide compulsory labor service for young Germans before their military enlistment. The iconic imagery of the spade and wheat ears directly reflected the organization's focus on land cultivation and manual labor. This specific item was crafted in 1938 by the well-known firm Christian Theodor Dicke in Lüdenscheid, a premier hub for military hardware production. Finding an early aluminum buckle with its matching, clearly stamped leather tab greatly increases its overall historical interest for militaria collectors.