At the request of dj-Joe, I've put together a summary of the badges of the Female RAD.
--Reichsbeitsdienst fur den Weiblichen Jugend--
Their rank was designated by a brooch worn at the neck. Piping around the uniform collar and silver/cotton sleeve emblems denoting their district also indicated rank. As this is a badge forum, we'll concentrate on the metal items.
If you are interested in the RADwJ sit back and enjoy the show. If you're not - I apologize in advance.
The brooches were in three distinct patterns.
The first pattern was offered in 4 grades. It was worn until 1937. These badges were all serial numbered. There was no maker code or year markings on the reverse.
See photo 1
Photo 2. Close up of the "old silver" and "bronze".
Reverse of a bronze first pattern brooch.
This one has an engaving.
a few photos of a photo ID and matching numbered first pattern brooch.
photo 1
Inside of the first pattern photo ID.
Matching numbered badge/Photo ID (first pattern brooch)
Second Pattern brooches worn from 1937-1939.
These badges were maker marked, year dated, and RADJ proofmarked. I believe that the originals are all solid (or scoopback).
I'm not sure how many grades it was issued in, two or three. I have silver and "iron" grades. I've never seen a "gold" grade, and the literature I have is not specific for this pattern badge. If anyone's seen a gold second pattern brooch let me know!
Reverse of some 2nd pattern brooches.
Another reverse of a 2nd pattern brooch - different maker.
And another reverse of a second pattern with a different maker
Third (and final) pattern brooches.
Worn from 1939-1945.
Issued in 4 metals: gold, silver, bronze, and iron.
Each metal type had three rank levels: Ornamented, ribbed, and plain borders.
These brooched were both solid and stamped. All the badges were maked with a maker code, year date, and RADJ proofmark.
Gold brooches.
3rd pattern silver brooches.
I'm missing the ornamented silver... Anybody have one?
Third pattern bronze brooches
Third pattern iron brooches
Some reverse photos of the third pattern brooches. I've chosen different makers than we saw on the 2nd pattern brooches.
Another 3rd pattern reverse.
This one is a stamped version.
And the third pattern Assmann
When a female retired from the RADwJ she was authorized to wear a different style brooch on the civilian clothing.
The books say there were three grades, but I think there were four. The same as the third pattern badges, gold, silver, bronze and iron.
These reverse of the badges could be plain or maker marked. There is no RADJ proofmark, or date - maybe because it was for civilian wear.
Retired brooch in shown in wear. This brooch is unissued in the box.
The RADwJ War Helpers badge was institued in 1941. Shown in wear.
The RADwJ hat badge was issued in 4 grades as the brooches were. Shown in wear. The badge was worn on the side of the hat on the hat band.
The RADwJ long service medals were issued in four grades, gold with eagle on the ribbon, silver with eagle on the ribbon, silver, and bronze.
Reverse of a third class 12-year medal
The standard portrait postcard size photos showing the uniform and the brooches in wear.
REPRODUCTIONS
There is a dark side to this area like many others. The reproductions are [to date] pretty easy to spot if you know what to look for.
First pattern brooch: I've never encountered a first pattern brooch fake.
Second pattern brooch: I've encountered fake bronze versions. I'm not sure if they even had a bronze version. They are stamped and pretty thin. There is no markings on the reverse. The reverse of the badge has that "oil film on water" discoloration in the metal.
Third pattern: Yes, I've found fake bronze with a plain edge, and iron with ribbed edge.
War helper pin: There are some of these that I've stayed away from, but maybe I'm over cautious.
I've photo'ed three of my originals of the ones that I've described in this section. At a minimum these three badges are being reproduced.
They may fake many more, but I've not seen them yet.
To stay safe: 2nd and 3rd pattern should be marked on the back.
2nd pattern badges should be solid or scoop backed.
All of the original brooches are not flimsy, they shouldn't be able to be bent.
The show's over guys.
Thanks for letting me share what I feel is an under-collected area.
Kevin S.
Well Done great review. Thanks for the great effort much appreciated
PAUL
An excellent & informative thread, thanks.
Have you ever encountered a War Helpers badge with a maker mark?
Cheers
Don
Don,
I've never seen a solid back war helper badge that was marked. They usually have a couple of dots (that whould feel like brail) on the back.
I don't have a stamped one, so I can't comment on those. I need one of those I guess.
Kevin
Kevin, an enjoyable well detailed post! 
My references were vague on the subject. I now understand the various patterns.
Much appreciated!On the first pattern was the alt silber considered Iron grade?
The hat badges I have only observed in grey/silver. Probably due to zinc content absorbing color. I take it the grades were Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron.
Regards,--dj--Joe
Spelling correction.
I'll ask about the third pattern here, not sure I can ask correctly what I am wondering.
As the wearer went up in rank did the broaches also change back and forth in pattern? For example Iron plain edge, next higher Iron ribbed, to the next, iron rope border, then on to the Bronze grades? Then through the silver and into the Gold grades?
--dj--Joe
Really nice collection. Thanks for showing us!
I always liked the first pattern and the War Helpers badges.
Heres a image of one of the broochs in wear I got off the Military Fundforum..
Kevin, Gaspare, nice in wear pictures! Always a treat to see them.
I forgot to mention the Female RAD medals. Hard to locate and harder "for me" to purchase.
I have yet to fork over the asking price for a full size example. Bronze = 4 years service.
Silver = 12 years.
Silver with a silver eagle ribbon emblem = 18 years service.
Gold with a gold eagle ribbon emblem = 25 years.
Thanks for showing your examples Kevin.
--dj--Joe
Joe,
1) Yes that's correct, Jack Angolia states that the "old silver" is the lowest rank on the first pattern.
My photo was out of order. woops.
2) Good question. It could be put another way, "Did a plain border silver wearer outrank a braided bronze wearer"? Based on the quantity that I've seen for sale and the number of braided badges I've seen in photos in wear, I'd say that the braided brooches in any grade were fewer and harder to earn than the plain borders of grades (with the possible exception of gold). This raises a very interesting point. Maybe gold was "staff" and silver "camp staff" etc.
I'll try to find that out.
Now I'm curious.
I'll ask some heavy hitters.
Have you ever seen, heard or read of grades of the third pattern smooth border with bronze center / silver rim. Silver center / silver rim ( which sounds confusing as it would be all silver). Gold center / silver rim. ?
--dj--Joe
This is one heck of a thread and extremely informitive, hats off Kevin for a good post and for showing us all the variations
.
Fritziii
dj-Joe:
No, I've never seen 3rd pattern mixed metal brooches. Just because I've not seen them does not mean they don't exist though.
Fritzii:
Thanks - It was fun to put together. Not too much on RADwJ out there.
kevin
Kevin, I have not seen an example either. Written description only.
Any one recall ever having seen any such examples?
--dj--Joe
Another "Post active service pin" in wear.
Guys, you're supposed to be looking at the pin...
This one is a sad one,
20 year old Anni and killed in an air raid in Nurnberg.
kevin
Kevin, on your silver retired or rememberance badge example, is it's composition aluminum? I viewed an aluminum version at a recent show, did not pick it up as my funds were running low. Also observed a couple of alloy versions where the silver painted finish was intact on the reverse but absorbed on the obverse, on the obverse they were varnished. Whether period varnished or done post war?
Saw one nice old/silver first pattern,
but that funding thing got in the way once again.
--dj--Joe
Joe,
I have two silver ones and they are both aluminum.
I'm not sure about the varnish.
I'm including the reverse photos of my two silver ones for your comparison with the one that you saw.
kevin
the other
Comparable indeed.
Thanks Kevin. I think an aluminum example is the one example I will search for.
--dj--Joe
Awesome Thread!!!
Just dicovered today after posting on this subject last night. This ANSWERS nearly all of my questions! I wont repost pics here, but maybe mods might wanna move them here, as they are nice examples in good condition.
(newbie Q's)Great work and offering here Kevin, Thanks!!
Now I need to rethink the thoughts of someone before me...
Below a couple pics of what I now understand to be a "retired silver" following on current thread issue. This is a beautifully crafted (brooch/badge?) To me, this item feels to hefty to be Aluminum, considerably heavier. I'm no expert, but I do work with metals. Think the one pictured is german silver/white metal, thats my $0.0175
Front
Hello again,
Thanks for the welcome all, and being so helpful.
Well I have been sorting through a big random bag of tinnies...have figgured out, or at least found pics of 3/4 of them...running out of books. Will take some shots of what remains and post.
Also have identified all but 4 remaining major badges, but finding no reference at all on this last group (maybe not badges?)
I just need help putting the correct name with the right badge.
The names I have are:
RADWJ Leader Aged 21-35
RADWJ Special Achievment
RADWJ War Volunteer Service
RADWJ Member One Year
Also if interested, here is the rest of this group of badges that I have figgured out. Thought you might like to see. Beautiful workmanship.
RADWJ Arbietsmaid-Iron
RADWJ Maidenunterfuherin-Bronze
RADWJ Maidenunterfuherin-Silver
I believe this is (young?) womens wing of RAD, don't know much else. Anyone who may have an idea of the current value of these, I'd be happy to know. All appear unissued and quite well made accept "A" looks more to be german silver or white metal of sorts, maybe lesser manufacturing quality.
Thanks for your help, hope someone can sort the 4 above in proper order. If anyone is up for a challenge, I have a bigger list, and bag of mystery tinnies I am getting stumped on.
Alot of great information here. Thanks Kevin. Here are the 2 I have.
First is a zinc one.
Zinc back.
Aluminum front
Aluminum back
My thanks to all, I have enjoyed seeing all the different badges and maker marks!
--dj--Joe
He's an interesting 2nd pattern brooch.
This one is heavy like a military metal. All of my other 2nd patterns are fairly light. Note the coke bottle pin. Again like a military badge.
kevin.
obverse.
Here's the reverse.
Kevin S. Has been nominated for the Great Thread Badge for this topic and I agree 100%.
Fantastic pictures and detailed descriptions have really added to collectors' understanding of what these badges represent.
Congratulations, Kevin.
THANKS A LOT GUYS!!!
It's a great hobby.
kevin
Kevin,
It is GDC who want to thank you for sharing your knowledge of those badges. Keep it up and my personal thanks.
Dave
And, yes, it is great hobby !
Kevin, well deserved.
--dj--Joe
Indeed, keep up the good work kevin
Cheers
Don
Kevin,
Fantastic thread and thank you for the mountain of information. Congratulations.
Don, Mikee
Thank you for the comments.
This is my only chance to share my collection which I enjoy.
Believe or not my wife has no interest.
Go figure.
kevin
Kevin,
You have a memorable collection. If you get new badges or if you get new information on the badges you have posted, please let us know.
Again, thanks for educating us,
Dave
I just thought I would add my bronze first pattern. Although hard to see the initials LH are engraved on the reverse. My membership book unfortunately does not match. Work for your people...ennoble yourself Robert
Reverse. Thanks for such a great thread Kevin.
being enthousiastic about the subject: another thing from my collection
and although not metal, the pics of Landarbeit are very nice, and i would like to share them
and might i add: Wonderfull collection, and very informative thread. I really love the first pattern. Saving up for one, but first, my eyes fell on a very lovely RADwj photoalbum, which might be a costly purchase.
RLBURGER: what a beauty!
Robert, indeed a nice badge.
Akera, welcome. Thank you for sharing your wonderful items from your collection. Both Assmann badges, nice.
Wonder what happened to the lady after 1941?
Appreciate the photos too. A glimpse into what was.
--dj--Joe
Indeed nice photos especially the ID photo w/party badge in wear. Here is my silver second pattern example. I have kepy away from the bronze type II as the faker Marangi has made a spot-on copy. I haven't been able to find a well-worn example with a little rust on the attaching pin yet. happy July 4th. Robert
Reverse.
gents My third pattern plain border. None the worse for wear.
Reverse . Shows age which I personally prefer.
Robert, more nice examples. Thank You. Two plain boarders are all I have accumulated so far, one silver example and one bronze. I should dig them out and post them one of these days.
Do you feel M.H. could be for Moritz Hausch?
--dj--Joe
Joe Not sure. What years are your plain borders? Hard to see but mine is 41. Robert
Robert,
The silver is not marked, the bronze is a Deumer 41 also.
--dj--Joe
Joe It will be nice to see your bronze 41. I am wondering if our good friend from London has any of these.
Don may have an example.
Here is my bronze, obverse.
--dj--Joe
Reverse.
--dj--Joe
Close up, not that it helps much.
The bronze is a zinc base metal and my silver example is magnetic.
--dj--Joe
Nice badges chaps.
Nope, no RADwJ in my collection. I've had a couple come with those groups of badges that I was lucky to pick up, but they have never been in the sort of condition to make me keep them....
Cheers
Don
very nice badges,
some of them are on my list
but for now i have purchased a very nice album
uniform pics, landarbeit, a trip on a boat, and six color cards, showing the arbeit mädels in color
hi heres a few of mine
reverse
2
back
3, not sure if this one is real
3a
4 this one has a replacement pin solderd on, and has marks were another pin was also soldered on
4a
5 has anyone ever seen the safety pin on this one before?
5a rear
photo 3 looks gold but has been polished by someone, if its given a quick rub its back to silver, photo 4 has a silver rim and a gold center, am still looking for the cap badge and the remaining female badges.
Woody5909, I have seen similar locking devices before as on 5a reverse.
--dj--Joe
Hello,
Fascinating thread and just a wealth of information. I have a couple of female RAD badges but never really had any idea if real repro or what. The first badge I have is what I thought to be a 2nd(?) pattern brooch. Always thought it was good but after reading this thread and that bronze versions may not have even existed. The piece is not flimsy or able to be bent easily. I attach a picture for confirmation on it being bogus. Also have what looks like a Long Service award,ribbon definately not original or the type used on this badge I think. I always thought that this most likely was not a good piece. Have attached a picture of this item also for comments and verification about it. Again fantastic thread with great info. It's nice to see items from organizations like this being discussed as opposed to the usual combat related discussions.
Thanks,
Duzig(Bill)
reverse of badge
Hello again,
Here's a pic of the Long Service award. I must say that without the internet and information gained from forums like this, one could really waste some good money on bad items. Thankfully most of the badges I have bought I paid very little for so even if fake I don't feel that bad compared to some of the stories I hear about. Again thanks to all for your help and a great thread.
Duzig(Bill)
Reverse of award.
Thanks again
Duzig(Bill)
Hello again,
For some reason I could not edit my last post and put this question in. It's not about badges though but here goes. What would be a fair price to pay for a Female RAD pennant? The type with the wheat husks and swastica? I see them on sites in the 250 to 350 range but they seem to sit unsold at that price. Thanks again
Duzig(Bill)
Bill, to me both the badge and the medal appear good.
Is the badge gold or bronze? PuC is Paulman und Crone I believe.
Is the medal light weight? Probably aluminum? It's a valued piece.
Don't know what to tell you about the pennant.
--dj--Joe
Hello,
Joe, thanks for your reply. The badge I always kind of thought was real, it had the same type of pin I've seen on some RAD badges before and the RAD & PuC on reverse with GES. Gesch I've seen before on other badges...but to me I would have to say the badge looks bronze to me,particulary the reverse. But unless I read the preceding info wrong it sounds as if maybe a bronze badge never existed. The medal I have no idea really. I wouldn't say it's lightweight in fact it's fairly heavy, it does have some tarnish on it so don't know whether it's silver or what. It's definately not aluminum though. Again thanks as usual for your help and info.
Bill
Here's all of mine together.
Kevin, nice fun display.
Thanks for showing the group. I imagine much went into assembling that many brooches.
Did you ever get an answer to the
rank, border, color question?Regards, Joe
quote:
Originally posted by Kevin S.:
Joe,
2) Good question. It could be put another way, "Did a plain border silver wearer outrank a braided bronze wearer"? Based on the quantity that I've seen for sale and the number of braided badges I've seen in photos in wear, I'd say that the braided brooches in any grade were fewer and harder to earn than the plain borders of grades (with the possible exception of gold). This raises a very interesting point. Maybe gold was "staff" and silver "camp staff" etc.
I'll try to find that out.
Now I'm curious.
I'll ask some heavy hitters.
Greetings All,
Have very much enjoyed this topic on the RAD Weiblichen Jugend. As I recently obtained a 3rd pattern silver grade brooch, I thought I would add it to the thread.
If I understand correctly, this example was issued to a Maidensunterfuhrerin. I seem to recall the various grades being listed in Angolia's book, but I don't have the reference anymore.
This example is not maker marked on the reverse. There do not appear to be stamps or markings of any kind. Per some of the other examples shown, I gather this does not necessarily call authenticity into question.
The pin has been re-soldered, replaced, or both.
Thanks for looking. Any comments or questions welcome.
B.A.
Front of the badge. The appearance of a coppery sheen is because of the lighting. The item is silver in appearance. It is somewhat worn.
And the back.. note the pin. As mentioned, no makers marks.
I think you are correct on the grade. I'm not positive.
One of mine is unmarked. Are you sure your pin has been resoldered? It looks as though it was soldered on without a round pin retaining plate used.
Thanks for your feedback!
Good observation regarding the soldered pin. Frankly, I'm not at all positive that it was resoldered, just assumed so because of the unusual format.
The way the pin is attached doesn't look as tidy as I would expect, but I haven't handled a lot of these.
Best,
B.A.Vierling
Any other examples of these badges to share?
Hi! my Maidoberfuhrerin silver by Assman, Nice thread! full of accurate information as usual, regards
Very nice conditioned piece. Good close up pictures.
Thanks, --dj--Joe
For any interested in these badges this is a very informative thread.
--dj--Joe
yes, a super thread..
I might have something to add,,got to find it and I'll post..
Meanwhile,,I have these,,,Been looking to get these patterns for over 20 years! And,,both popped up in 2015!!
Hope we all have a good 2016!
Gaspare,
Very nice. Got to be few and far between.
Thanks also for the vote of confidence.
--dj--Joe
very nice thread. I am looking for a brooch like the one seen here. It is possible that these were also worn by RAD frauen but I'm not entirely sure of that.
Ran across this interesting and informative thread and thought it deserving of being brought back to the top.
https://forum.germandaggers.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=328385&page=1--dj--Joe
I recently heard firstly through another collector, then from a thread on another forum that there was an earlier short lived form of the Deutscher Frauenarbeitsdienst shown in post #1. It was the Weiblicher Arbeitsdienst.
There are a few differences, firstly in the wording around the edge, "Weiblicher Arbeitsdienst" rather than "Deutscher Frauenarbeitsdienst" around the bottom. The Weiblicher Arbeitsdienst has a + symbol between the sentences rather than a "." as used on the Deutscher Frauenarbeitsdienst badges, & finally, the numbers on the reverse, the Deutscher Frauenarbeitsdienst always has the serial number below the pin, whereas on the Weiblicher Arbeitsdienst, the number is always above the pin.
Once I heard this I dug through my collection & found that without realising it, I had one of the Weiblicher Arbeitsdienst.
Firtly a side by side comparison of the two badges.
And here is my badge, note the serial number (20) at the top of the reverse rather than at the bottom as seen on the Deutscher Frauenarbeitsdienst badges. It also has a name scratched into it, Ruth Woll.
Don
Thanks, Don, nice badge and good information. I am sure most are not aware of. I see the difference but one has to be paying close attention or specifically searching for it.
Thank you for breathing life into this informative thread.
--dj--Joe
Yes Joe, the differences are very subtle which is probably why the badges haven’t been noticed by most collectors.
I bought mine because it was a low number, I never bothered to check that the Sutterlin script was the same.
Don
extremely intereting thread loads of valuable information here that is difficult to locate cheers and best, Ryan
