Original German WWII DAF Labor Front Flag Pole Finial by F. W. Assmann & Söhne – RZM M5/8 – Deutsche Arbeitsfront Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice WWII German Labor Front (Deutsche Arbeitsfront – DAF) Flag Pole Finial or Topper (Fahnenstange Endstück) Eagle. It is constructed of nickel-plated brass, and is the later design. It is marked on the base with an ((RZM)) Code M5/8, for the famous F. W. Assmann & Söhne of Lüdenscheid.

The finial measures approximately 10” long with the gear having a diameter of 5⅞”. This piece would go atop the golden cog honor flag awarded to manufacturers during the Reich. This piece takes the form of the DAF emblem of a fourteen-tooth cog wheel encompassing a canted swas.

These Flag Pole Finials are extremely hard to find, as most were destroyed or melted back down as scrap. This is one in very nice condition, ready for further research and display!

With the dissolution of all Free Trade Unions in Germany in May 1933 the Deutsche Arbeitsfront, (German Labor Front), was established to replace the unions and to educate the workers in industry and commerce for smooth and efficient operation of all labor in the Third Reich. In October 1934 the DAF was given official status as a sub-section of the NSDAP and in March 1936 it was recognized as an independent NSDAP affiliated association and granted control of its own monetary budget.

Virtually all of the myriad military, civil, political and paramilitary uniformed organizations in existence during the Third Reich had their own flags and standards as part of their organizational regalia. The flags were carried in parades and rallies. In addition to the special flags, most organizations had special pole tops specific to that group, to further distinguish their unique standards. The pole tops often bore either National eagles, organizational emblems, or typical Third Reich patriotic motifs. The emblem would be atop a sleeve into which the flag pole (generally a wood pole with a black finish) would fit. These were designed to be visually impressive pieces of regalia, and are often very eye-catching. Most Third Reich pole tops did not survive the war or its aftermath.