Original Item: Only One Available. Gorgets hold an interesting place in history, as they are a throw-back to the days of medieval knights, when suits of armor included a neck protection device called a Gorget. They have been used since then to identify membership or function in various military and law enforcement organizations, and Gorgets were thoroughly used throughout the Third Reich.

This is a very nice example of a German Streifendienst gorget for the Reich Labour Service. The Reich Labour Service (Reichsarbeitsdienst or RAD) was the official state laboratory in NSDAP Germany and was established to mitigate the effects of unemployment on the German economy, militarize the workforce, and indoctrinate them with NSDAP ideology.

The Streifendienst was an element of the Feldgendarmerie, the German military police from WWII. They were responsible for providing security at RAD sites, such as railway stations across Germany and German-occupied territories during World War II. Their purpose was to maintain order and discipline, ensure rapid movements of troops and equipment, and advise and direct soldiers traveling through the train stations.

This piece is a 1936 model RAD uniform gorget. It was worn by patrol leaders which had a high rank in the German military police. It is a half moon shaped aluminum shield which still retains its bright polish. It has a swas with a shovel in the middle of the gorget, with the text Streifendienst, which loosely translates as “patrol duty”. Overall condition is very good with light wear on the front of the plate and chain. The back of the gorget is in beautiful condition and retains most of the felt backing.