Original: $295.00
-70%$295.00
$88.50The Story
Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a genuine German WWII SS Erkennungsmarke (identity disc or Dog Tag) half, 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 is what looks to be the top half, and we have no way of knowing whether it simply broke at some point, or whether the soldier it was issued to was killed in action.
It is marked on the front with the following regimental designation, which fully legible.
44
8. / POL. SCH. R. 1
This indicates the soldier (No. 44) was a member of the 8. Kompanie Polizei-Schützen-Regiment 1, or the 8th Company, Police Schützen Regiment. This unit was part of the SS Division Polizei, later known as the 4. SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Division (4th SS Polizei Panzergrenadier Division). The SS Schützen regiments were motorized / mechanized infantry troops, and were legendary in the field. Then in 1942 Infantry Regiments were renamed as Grenadier Regiments by Adolf H as a historical homage to Frederick the Great's Army, and the Schützen were renamed to Panzergrenadiers.
Most likely the numerical designation of this regiment had to be changed when the division was made an "official" Waffen-SS division, so we do not know what new regiment number this unit was given.
The dog tag half is in excellent condition, showing just a bit of light oxidation and bending. As it is aluminum it is in far better condition than we usually see.
Ready to research and display!
The 4th SS Polizei Panzergrenadier Division (4. SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Division) or SS Division Polizei was one of the thirty-eight divisions fielded as part of the Waffen-SS during World War II.
The division was formed in October 1939, when thousands of members of the Ordnungspolizei (Orpo) were drafted to fill the ranks of the new SS division. These men were not enrolled in the SS and remained policemen, retaining their Orpo rank structure and insignia. They did not have to meet the racial and physical requirements imposed for the SS. Himmler's purpose in forming the division was to get around the recruitment caps the Wehrmacht had succeeded in placing on the SS, it also provided a means for his policemen to satisfy their military obligation and avoid army conscription.
The first commander was Generalleutnant der Polizei (Major-General) Karl Pfeffer-Wildenbruch, a career police commander who had been a general staff officer during World War I; simultaneous with his appointment he was also commissioned as an SS-Gruppenführer. The division was equipped largely with captured Czech materiel and underwent military training in the Black Forest combined with periods on internal security duties in Poland
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Description
Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a genuine German WWII SS Erkennungsmarke (identity disc or Dog Tag) half, 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 is what looks to be the top half, and we have no way of knowing whether it simply broke at some point, or whether the soldier it was issued to was killed in action.
It is marked on the front with the following regimental designation, which fully legible.
44
8. / POL. SCH. R. 1
This indicates the soldier (No. 44) was a member of the 8. Kompanie Polizei-Schützen-Regiment 1, or the 8th Company, Police Schützen Regiment. This unit was part of the SS Division Polizei, later known as the 4. SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Division (4th SS Polizei Panzergrenadier Division). The SS Schützen regiments were motorized / mechanized infantry troops, and were legendary in the field. Then in 1942 Infantry Regiments were renamed as Grenadier Regiments by Adolf H as a historical homage to Frederick the Great's Army, and the Schützen were renamed to Panzergrenadiers.
Most likely the numerical designation of this regiment had to be changed when the division was made an "official" Waffen-SS division, so we do not know what new regiment number this unit was given.
The dog tag half is in excellent condition, showing just a bit of light oxidation and bending. As it is aluminum it is in far better condition than we usually see.
Ready to research and display!
The 4th SS Polizei Panzergrenadier Division (4. SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Division) or SS Division Polizei was one of the thirty-eight divisions fielded as part of the Waffen-SS during World War II.
The division was formed in October 1939, when thousands of members of the Ordnungspolizei (Orpo) were drafted to fill the ranks of the new SS division. These men were not enrolled in the SS and remained policemen, retaining their Orpo rank structure and insignia. They did not have to meet the racial and physical requirements imposed for the SS. Himmler's purpose in forming the division was to get around the recruitment caps the Wehrmacht had succeeded in placing on the SS, it also provided a means for his policemen to satisfy their military obligation and avoid army conscription.
The first commander was Generalleutnant der Polizei (Major-General) Karl Pfeffer-Wildenbruch, a career police commander who had been a general staff officer during World War I; simultaneous with his appointment he was also commissioned as an SS-Gruppenführer. The division was equipped largely with captured Czech materiel and underwent military training in the Black Forest combined with periods on internal security duties in Poland
