History

The DAF (Deutsche Arbeitsfront = German Labour Front) was the result of a forced association of all German trade unions, established on May 10, 1933. Its purpose was the coordination and control of all aspects of German labour to serve the interests of the NSDAP. The DAF leader was Reichsleiter Robert Ley.

The Werkscharen (Factory Brigades) of the DAF were the “soldiers” of the organisation, formed in 1934. They were trained and organised as paramilitary, uniformed units, yet remained unarmed. Beginning in April 1937, active Werkschar units (Stoßtrupps) would wear silver-coloured insignia, while administrators wore gold-coloured insignia. Even though Werkscharen were not affiliated with the Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB, National Air Raid Protection League), during the war they often functioned as factory air raid protection auxiliaries.
Some companies, especially major corporations, used additional security personnel, which were dubbed Werkschutz (Factory Protection), and later Werksicherheitsdienst (Factory Security Service).

Werkschutz insignia were first introduced in late 1937. The Werkschutz Visor Cap is made of dark grey material with a black cap band, a black vulcan fibre visor, and a black leather chin strap, except aluminum chin cords were worn by leader ranks.

The cap features the Werkschutz eagle emblem at the top and a cockade on the cap band. Werksicherheitsdienst regulation piping was crimson. Some Werkschutz visor caps have been found with piping in different colours, however the purpose is unknown.