Original German WWII 3rd SS Panzer Division “Totenkopf” Identity Disc Dog Tag Half Original Items

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:

ᛋᛋ – T. Inf. Ers. Btl. III

This indicates the soldier was a member of the 3rd SS Panzer Division “Totenkopf”, Ersatz (Replacement) Battalion III. The rear of the badge half looks to have a number that may read “6404”, but it is not clear due to oxidation.

This disc looks to have been possibly recovered from the field, as it shows overall oxidation to the zinc material. This has made it somewhat hard to read, but close examination in the light still shows the original markings.

Ready to research and display!

The 3rd SS Panzer Division “Totenkopf” (3. SS-Panzerdivision “Totenkopf”) was an elite division of the Waffen-SS of NSDAP Germany during World War II, formed from the Standarten of the SS-TV. Its name, Totenkopf, is German for “death’s head” – the skull and crossbones symbol – and it is thus sometimes referred to as the Death’s Head Division.

The division was formed through the expansion of Kampfgruppe Eicke, a battle group named – in keeping with German military practice – after its commander, Theodor Eicke. Most of the battle group’s personnel had been transferred to the Waffen SS from concentration camp guard units, which were known collectively as “SS-Totenkopfverbände”; others were former members of Selbstschutz: ethnic German militias that had committed war crimes in Poland.

The division became notorious for its brutality, and committed numerous war crimes, including the Le Paradis and Chasselay massacres. The remnants of the division surrendered on 9 May 1945 to American forces in Czechoslovakia.