Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a genuine German WWII Waffen SS Erkennungsmarke (identity disc or Dog Tag), used to identify soldiers in the field. These were made of plated steel, aluminum, or zinc, and were designed so that if a soldier died, the bottom half of the tag would be broken off, while the other half remained with their body.

This example is an early example, and has the same unit marking on both halves, though the soldier number is inverted on one side:

This indicates the soldier was a member of the Waffen SS, specifically the Flak Ausbildung Und Ersatz Regiment, which translates to "Anti-Aircraft Artillery Training and Replacement Regiment." This regiment was used to supply trained troops to replace casualties in the various Flak Anti-Aircraft units in the Waffen SS.

Condition of the disc is very good, though there is definitely some oxidation on the front top, probably due to degradation of a steel chain inserted through the hanger hole. It is non magnetic, and looks to be made from zinc or some similar metal.

Ready to research and display!

The SS (Schutzstaffel - 'Protection Squadron') was originally formed in 1925, ostensibly to act as a small, loyal bodyguard unit to protect the Führer, Adolf AH. Under the direction of the Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, the SS grew to be the most ruthless and feared organization of the 20th century. They were the vanguard of NSDAPsm and eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe.

When WWII began in earnest, the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT) (SS Dispositional Troops) became the Waffen-SS ("Armed SS"), an official military branch of the SS organization. Its formations included men from NSDAP ruled Germany, along with volunteers and conscripts from both occupied and unoccupied lands.