WW2 German RADwJ War Helper's Service Badge (Kriegshilfsdienst Abzeichen)
SKU: 606
Original/Reproduction: Original
Availability: In-stock
Manufacturer:
Material: Stamped zinc alloy, hollow-backed
Dimensions: Approximately 40 × 37 mm
Condition: Excellent
Price: $95.00
Seller Type: WW2C
Seller ID: JMW
Seller Code: 40
Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Description:
Here we have an original German WWII Reichsarbeitsdienst der weiblichen Jugend (RADwJ) War Helper's Service Badge (Kriegshilfsdienst Abzeichen). The RADwJ War Helper's Service Badge is an increasingly sought after award for collectors of women's service awards from the Third Reich. It was instituted in July 1941 and was awarded to female members of the RADwJ after they had completed their 6 months of compulsory labor service, and then went on to complete a further 6 months of war auxiliary service. The women that served in the RADwJ war auxiliary service completed a wide variety of tasks, including communications, transport, administration, air raid protection, stores and other essential services, release of other civilian workers to go and fight in the military.
This War Helper's Service Badge is of the very desirable stamped construction with a hollow back, a type of production that took place during the latter years of the war. The obverse features the traditional design for the RADwJ, a canted swastika, surrounded by canted sheaves of grain. A banner reads “RADwJ” across the bottom of the award. All of the die-struck details are crisp and very sharp, showing excellent relief in the wreath and the grain stalks and lettering.
The reverse of this War Helper's Service Badge shows the typical reverse of a RADwJ War Helper's Service Badge of the type that was produced in the later years of the Second World War. The badge is hollow-backed and was made from zinc alloy (Feinzink). As with all hollow-backed badges of this type, there were also solid-backed variants of the War Helper's Service Badge produced for the female members of the RAD. This type of badge is highly sought after by the advanced collector of Third Reich women's service awards and insignia. The majority of the contemporary references to the Kriegshilfsdienst Abzeichen produced for the female members of the RADwJ, note that both solid-backed and hollow-backed variants were produced.
Specifications
- Country: Germany
- Period: World War II (1941–1945)
- Organization: Reichsarbeitsdienst der weiblichen Jugend (RADwJ)
- Award: Kriegshilfsdienst (War Helper's Service) Badge
- Construction: Stamped zinc alloy, hollow-backed
- Attachment: The badge was attached to the wearer's clothing with a horizontal pin-back with a hinge and catch.
- Dimensions: Approximately 40 × 37 mm
- Condition: Excellent original condition with sharp details, attractive original finish, and fully functional attachment hardware.
An outstanding example of an original RADwJ War Helper’s Service Badge, an award for women’s wartime service that is becoming increasingly difficult to find. The badge was awarded to women of the RADwJ who completed their compulsory six months labor service and then went on to complete an additional six months of wartime auxiliary service. This War Helper’s Service Badge is an outstanding example of the important service performed by women of the Reich Labour Service during World War II. It is a rare award and a most attractive addition to any collection of German WWII awards, women’s service awards, or Third Reich militaria.
The item is in good condition, it is an original historical artifact of WWII and as such shows some wear but nothing excessive. It has been kept in good condition over the years and has not been tampered with in any way. It is a highly collectible item of military historical interest.
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