Introduction — German WWII Erkennungsmarke (Identity Tags)

This blog is a practical, evidence-led reference for collectors, researchers and restorers interested in German identity discs (Erkennungsmarke) from the Second World War — including those associated with the Schutzstaffel (SS), which are frequently reproduced and faked. Over time I’ll document materials, punch and stamping practices, alloy corrosion patterns typical of ground-excavated items, fonts and numbering systems, and other physical clues that help distinguish originals from modern or period reproductions.

The post will focus on careful, observable detail rather than speculation. Expect close photographic comparisons (original vs. known fake), measured observations about metal composition and corrosion morphology, and notes on tooling and production practices used by manufacturers in the 1930s–40s. Where appropriate I will add provenance notes and references to authoritative catalogues or archival sources so readers can corroborate the information. The aim is to build a slow, cumulative resource — practical, documentary, and conservative in its claims — that helps improve identification accuracy while preserving the historical record.

I attempt to tackle this subject following many years of struggling to tell whether the ID discs where indeed genuine or faked. A challenging task given the vast quantities of fakes, especially of SS nature.

Disclaimer: This article discusses German WWII identification tags purely for historical and educational purposes. It contains references and imagery of SS insignia used only for authentication and research. No political or ideological views are expressed or endorsed. Refer to the detailed Disclaimer & Safety / Legal Notice notes at the end of the article.

 

Visual Description

We start with a description of the form, function, and materials employed in the manufacture of ID discs. To give a basic understanding of the tag itself.

Form: Identity discs were oval, with three perforation holes along the top and bottom edges, and three horizontal break slots across the centre. 

ID discs where produced in sheet steel, zinc, and aluminum. Size is 50 x 70 mm (plus or minus 2 mm).

Function: The ID disc was classed as an identification document. It was issued to all military personal upon completion of training and assignment to their reserve unit. It was referred from the owner's Soldbuch.

The two round holes around the lower edge are to mount the neck strap from which it was worn. 

The central perforated slots aided the splitting of the disc in the event of death. The single upper edge hole for passing some string or cord, used when collecting up these halves.

Scribe lines were added to aid the straight punching of the disc details. These are found across the length and width. Often worn away as they were shallow.

Punches were used to manually mark the owner's details: [1] blood type, [2] number, [3] company, [4] service, [5] unit, [6] battalion or regimental number. Other details may be found, not all details appear on all discs. Their marking lacked standardisation for the most part. Single letter and number punches were used. Block punches were used for common and repetitive markings.

Above, example of an aluminium Luftwaffe disc, exhibiting most of the features described.

Materials:

Early Wehrmacht ID discs were constructed of sheet steel, and then sheet aluminium. Like many Third Reich awards, late war production of ID discs switched to sheet zinc alloy. Aluminum by this time was in very short supply. 

Most discs that I have encountered are aluminium. Presumably due to the huge turnover of forces during the early years of the war, thus aluminium replacing the steel variety by replacement. Also consider that steel oxidises very quickly. Any tags discarded or on battlefields and transit routes, would not last very long. Zinc discs are common also, lesser so in my experience. It is reasonable to suspect that this is the case because zinc oxidises readily and powders in the right soil conditions. During the late war years (1944-45), many German soldiers were either taken prisoner, died, or discarded any items that could identify them as the Allies advanced.

 

 

 

Under construction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer & Safety / Legal Notice

• Neutral historical treatment: This site approaches SS material strictly as historical artefacts and collecting objects. The content is descriptive and forensic in nature — it does not endorse, promote or glorify the ideology, organisations, or actions associated with these items.

• Images and symbols: Some photographs will include insignia, runes or other emblems that are historically associated with the SS. These images are provided solely for identification and educational purposes.

• No operational or illicit advice: I will not provide guidance that facilitates the illegal manufacture, concealment, sale, or trafficking of restricted items, nor will I publish instructions intended to aid in faking or producing forgeries. Practical identification techniques are described to help detect fakes, protect buyers and preserve historical integrity.

• Excavated items and law: Many identity discs are found in the ground. Laws on metal detecting, excavation, export and sale of such finds vary by country — particularly for wartime graves and military sites. Readers must comply with local archaeological, heritage and export regulations; I accept no liability for actions taken contrary to those laws.

• Condition and conservation: If you handle excavated or corroded metal, follow appropriate conservation and health-safety advice (avoid abrasive cleaning, seek a professional conservator for valuable finds). The blog may discuss corrosion patterns for identification purposes but will not recommend amateur chemical “restoration” that could destroy evidential features.

• Sources and limits: I strive for accuracy and will cite sources where possible. However, identifications based on photographs alone can be uncertain — where an item’s authenticity materially affects value or provenance, seek a hands-on assessment by a recognised expert or laboratory (XRF, metallurgical testing, documented provenance).