RAD Tunic

[DougO]

Finally picked up a nice RAD Tunic here in Germany.
Need an armband for it. Is there any specific traits that I should look for in purchasing the correct armband for this uniform?

Doug

[DougO]

Pic 2...

[DougO]

Pic 3...

[Radcollector]

standard cotton printed armbands are what you see on most RAD tunics.I started a thread on RAD tunics here is the link http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ad.php?t=77974 It would be great if you could post pictures of your tunic here,im trying have a RAD uniform thread with detailed close up pictures of the construction methods/stampings/liners/etc basically close up detailed pictures of all parts of RAD uniforms for referance purposes

[George Stimson]

Nice tunic! Here's the armband on mine.

[Erich B.]

I think an armband like that on George's tunic would be more accurate---generally on a wool tunic, a wool armband was worn.
Erich

[Radcollector]

Im not sure i agree with you on this one Erich,i have actually started a thread last year on this very subject wool multi piece vs printed cotton armbands on RAD uniforms,i didnt get alot of response to the thread.I have several hunderd postcard sized potraits of RAD men,one of the things i look for when buying these is a visable unit shield so usually the armband is visable as well.on these close up portraits you can tell which ones are the wool multi piece constructed armbands and what ones are the printed cotton variety,and it seems to me anyway that there was alot of printed cotton armbands being worn with wool uniforms.

[Erich B.]

Hello Yancy,
I know you've studied RAD images in greater detail than I, so I'm sure you're right about the armbands on issue tunics. However, since the RAD officer's tunic appears to be a custom tailored piece, I'd be surprised if it didn't originally have a wool high quality band.
Erich

[Radcollector]

Hello,

Erich you do bring up a good point.but this is a earlier 1935-1937 pattern tunic,more printed armbands were used earlier vs more wool armbands later on according to angolia and littlejohns book,but as you mentioned this is a private tailored piece.the RAD seemed to have inconsistant uniforms,i have seen officers up to the rank of arbeitsfuhrer with printed armbands and EM's and NCO's with high quality armbands,there doesnt seem to be any set rules or regulations regarding armbands,ie officers get the good stuff EM's get the printed armbands.even the way they are attached is different,some like Georges are attached only in a few spots,i have seen lots of photos plus i have 2 tunics (officer,NCO)that the armbands were sewn the whole way around the top and bottom.I do know one thing the wool armbands are more attractive,and the bottom line is you will never know 100% for sure what type of armband was originally on that tunic. since its for display purposes that you are putting one on and it is a very nice tunic,i would go with a wool armband for looks,allthough technically neither would be the "wrong" type to put on.