N03352 RAD LEADER'S DAGGER. (Führer Haumesser des RAD) BACKGROUND: The basis of the "Reichsarbeitsdienst" (National-labor-service) dates back, at least, to 1929 with the formation of the AAD, "Anhalt Arbeitsdienst" (Anhalt Labor-service), and the FAD-B, "Freiwillingen Arbeitsdienst-Bayern" (Volunteer Labor-service [of]-Bavaria). Shortly after Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor, on January 30th 1933, the NSDAP consolidated these, and other labor organizations, into the NSAD, "Nationalsozialist Arbeitsdienst" (National-socialist Labor-service); a national labor service. In June of 1935 the NSAD was re-designated RAD. In July of the same year RAD service became compulsory, with all German citizens between 19 and 25 years of age required to enlist for a six month term. Of Note: This law also decreed that all military conscripts serve a nine month term. The first RAD sidearm, a Subordinate’s Hewer, was introduced by Reichsarbeitsführer Konstatin Hierl in August of 1934, and was worn by the ranks of "Truppführer" (Corporal) and above. In 1937 a RAD Leader’s Dagger was introduced for the ranks of "Feldmeister" (Second Lieutenant) and above, the hewer then being worn only by RAD "Unterführen" (EM/NCO’s). PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A dagger with a 10 1/4" long, single-edged, nickel-silver plated blade, in its original scabbard. The dagger has a cast, nickel-silver plated alloy pommel in the form of a stylized eagle’s head, and a diagonally ribbed bolster beneath its molded, cream-colored bakelite grips. A single flush screw to the reverse grip holds them in place. A noticeable crack and very subtle chips to the edge of the reverse grip may be seen. The nickel-silver plated cross guard decoratively curls at either end and a langet is to its obverse. The langet features the RAD emblem of an upright spade head, whose background is horizontally ribbed, upon which is a mobile swastika, and with sprigs of barley extending upward from either side of the spade’s base. The plain reverse of the cross guard has a noticeable stress fracture to it. The pommel, bolster, cross guard and langet are all lightly surface scratched, with age darkening to their recesses, and only traces of their original plating remains. The drop forged steel blade has a narrow fuller to each side and a false edge. Its obverse features the acid etched RAD motto, "Arbeit adelt" (Work ennobles), in Gothic script. To the reverse ricasso is "Alcoso" arching above a set of scales, with "A" and "C" to either upper side of the balance, and "S" beneath and between them. "Solingen" is etched to the base of the aforementioned. This style maker’s mark dates the blade between 1938 and 1940. Typical scabbard runner marks, and equally light surface spotting, may be seen to both sides of the blade, which is otherwise bright and still retains most of its original finish. The 10 3/4" tall scabbard has a nickel-silver plated alloy mouthpiece, held in place by two small dome-headed retaining screws, and two similarly plated, wire hanger support loops are soldered along its upper edge. Nice example.. shows typical aging. Untouched.

GRADE ***1/2                             PRICE $ SOLD