{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-reichsarbeitsdienst-rad-labor-service-unterfeldmeister-ncos-tailor-made-greatcoat-with-unit-assignment-shield","title":"Original German WWII Reichsarbeitsdienst RAD Labor Service Unterfeldmeister NCO's Tailor-Made Greatcoat with Unit Assignment Shield","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \"sew-in\" style \u003cem\u003eschulterklappen\u003c\/em\u003e (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 \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnterfeldmeister\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, which is also sometimes referred to as Haupttruppführer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left sleeve has a unit assignment shield hand stitched on (original stitching), which shows a machine embroidered white RAD inverted shovel with red numbers \u003cstrong\u003e250 \/ 2\u003c\/strong\u003e in the center. This indicates the unit that they were a member of.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore the formation of the RAD from various labor service groups, the FAD (\u003cem\u003eFreiwillingen Arbeitsdienst\u003c\/em\u003e or Volunteer labor service) rank of \u003cem\u003eUnterfeldmeister\u003c\/em\u003e 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 \u003cem\u003eOberfeldwebel\u003c\/em\u003e (Master Sergeant).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fantastic RAD Labor Service Unterfeldmeister's greatcoat, complete with insignia and shoulder boards! Ready to add to your collection!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Measurements:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCollar to shoulder: 9.5\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to sleeve: 26”\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to shoulder: 15”\u003cbr\u003eChest width: 20”\u003cbr\u003eWaist width: 20\"\u003cbr\u003eHip width: 31.5”\u003cbr\u003eFront length: 50\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42078791663685,"sku":"ONJR24MG551","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24MG551__02.jpg?v=1737132245","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-reichsarbeitsdienst-rad-labor-service-unterfeldmeister-ncos-tailor-made-greatcoat-with-unit-assignment-shield","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}