It would seem that according to wartime photos, that many men did not wear their dog tags around their neck as they were instructed to. The Second World Warĭuplicate identification tags were used by German troops which were already pre-cut, so they only needed bending back and forth before they snapped clean so one half could be taken away whilst leaving the corpse for retrieval at a safer time. This is where they used and allotted the serial number system. Army changed regulations for both tags to be the same, one to be left with the corps when in battle it was unsafe to recover the body, and the other half taken back to take note of the casualty. Army issued aluminium dog tags stamped with the name, rank, company, regiment or corps of the wearer whenever the field kit was worn. These discs, one in red and one in green, were made of fibre and were suspended around the neck using butcher's twine ( string made by twisting together fibres of hemp or cotton ,). The British forces in Australia, New Zealand and Canada issued identification tags from the beginning of the First World War. Gorilla warfare in the Vietnam War made it absolutely essential to remain silent when preparing and avoiding an enemy ambush, some soldiers either taped their dog tags together, some removed one and tied it to their shoe lace. Not until the Vietnam War did the use of silencers come into practice to help disguise the noise made by the two tags. These identification tags may contain identical information on both tags some nations use these allowing one half of the tag (or one of two tags) to be broke off, leaving the other half with the corpse when battle conditions prevent safe recovery of the deceased. By 1916 the U.S Army started using a serial number system, this number would now be stamped onto the dog tags along with name of the enlisted and any medical alerts including blood type. Army refused a proposal for a uniform disc for the officers but in 1906, The U.S Army recognised the importance of identification and authorised aluminium tags.

Identification badge manufacturers originally designed the pins in a shape denoting the branch of service with an engraving of the soldier's name and unit. In the Franco-Prussian war in 1870 the Prussian army was issued identification tags nicknamed Hundermarken. In the first World War they were produced in aluminium, stamped with the name, date of birth, rank, and regiment.

Since the Taiping revolt in 1851 the Chinese Imperial Army and the Taiping rebels wore a wooden tag clipped to their belt bearing the soldier's date of enlistment, name and date of birth. The survivors would collect their other half after battle so the Spartans could count their dead. The earliest forms of ID tags can be found as far back as 400BC when Spartan soldiers used to break a stick in half with specific markings on them. Pay less at Army and Outdoors, and browse our other military surplus products for men, women and children, all at a great price. Ensure you send us your details for customising, and we’ll get your product out to you as quickly as possible. Why not order in bulk to use for IDs, parties, travel, company events, or school trips.Īdd a dog tag or two to your cart today and enjoy New Zealand -wide delivery. We supply black, brass or silver chains in 4” or 24” lengths. Or switch it up and choose your new dog tag and silencer in different colours. Shop for a standard army-issue silver dog tag and chain with a black silencer. Our engraving service allows us to produce high-quality inscriptions on your items that will make a lasting impression. You can choose to emboss important information, show a loved one you care or remember a special date. Place your orders today for our dog tag products with unique personalisation options.

Or contact us for more details and to discuss your specific needs. Start shopping with our custom dog tag builder, and we’ll deliver the finished product to your door. Whether it's genuine military dog tags, ID tags, colourful custom-made sets, individual tags for your luggage or business, or a custom-printed dog tag with your own artwork, we can help you out. Recently we have integrated this product into our main site here at Army and Outdoors. We've been supplying a huge range of quality military issue tags longer than anyone else in NZ. Previously we developed and operated the 'Dog tags Down Under' site. Welcome to New Zealand’s original and best online ID tag supplier.

German army dog tags