Germany, RAD. A Model 1939 Service Tunic, Arbeitsdienstgruppe 271 Baden

(Reichsarbeitsdienst Dienstrock M39). A very well-preserved Reichsarbeitsdienst (Reich Labour Service/RAD) Model 1939 service tunic, constructed of olive-drab wool. It features a turned-down collar which is topped by a layer of smooth brown wool, and flanked on each side by tabs constructed of black rayon and bearing machine-embroidered silver-grey insignia, reflecting ranks Vormann-Untertruppführer (late pattern), and measuring 35 mm (w) x 70 mm (l). The shoulders are flanked by Hauptvormann candidate straps, each constructed of olive-drab wool, trimmed with twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire piping, pinned with two pips, wrapped with additional silver aluminum wire and black threaded loops, and bearing reverse integral straps perforated with reinforced buttonholes. Measuring 45 mm (w) x 105 mm (l), the straps are secured in place with loops at the outer edge and with pebbled aluminum buttons on the inner edge. Stitched onto the upper left sleeve is an insignia consisting of a black rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered, multi-coloured Abteilung 4, Arbeitsdienstgruppe 271 (Baden district) unit emblem, measuring 60 mm (w) x 85 mm (h). Also stitched onto the left sleeve is a title constructed of a black rayon base bearing a white letter “R” in Fraktur script, indicating Rhein (Rhine) district Siegfried Line personnel. Four pleated pockets are set into the breast flaps, all closing with gently scalloped flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes meeting pebbled aluminum buttons. Four sets of reinforced eyelets are distributed around the waist, all featuring protruding aluminum belt hangers. The tunic closes with five pebbled aluminum buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. The interior is partially encompassed by a multi-piece brown cotton/rayon blended liner. A narrow pocket is set into the lower right flap, and closes with a brown bakelite button. The left side of the liner is stamped with a partially-legible maker’s mark for a Hannover-Kassel firm, situated above size dimensions, a manufacture date of “39”, and an RAD Bekleidungsamt Berlin depot mark. An additional stamped mark set into the back has been blackened and rendered illegible. The tunic measures approximately 43 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 58 cm, and an overall body length of 64 cm. Demonstrating only minor material fatigue and possible alteration of insignia consistent with wartime promotion and unit deployment, this tunic remains in an extremely fine condition.