Start of dogtag use?

Hi y'all,

When did we start using standardized dog tags and what were we using to identify the dead before then?

Bonus point for answers on the French army!
 
I believe the first military dogtags were US Civil War era but non-standard. Then you’ve got voluntary ID tags amongst the Prussians in the 1870s before standardisation occuring in 1906 in the US and later in Europe in WWI.

I have a recollection that the WWI French had wrist tags rather than necklace tags.

Before Dogtags, I believe there was a habit of writing down your ID on a scrap of paper tucked in your uniform or else stenciling it directly onto their uniform/supply pack, but I suspect the real answer is that nobody had much inclination to identify the dead (except for nobility, who had their heraldry as ID).
 
Hi y'all,

When did we start using standardized dog tags and what were we using to identify the dead before then?

Bonus point for answers on the French army!

In the French Army, the first recorded use of unofficial tags was the 1870 war. The War Ministry adopted the principle of dogtagging in 1879, but started to implement the system in 1881 only. After 1915, soldiers were issued two tags, one to identify the body, the other sent to his regiment. Soldiers wore frequently one of the tags around the wrist, but it was not official until 1918
 
In the French Army, the first recorded use of unofficial tags was the 1870 war. The War Ministry adopted the principle of dogtagging in 1879, but started to implement the system in 1881 only
Do you know what it looked like? Was it because of the 1870's war?
I'm writing fiction in that era so any source would be super appreciated :)
 
Didn't the ancient Spartans have a similar system? I seem to recall watching a documentary where it was mentioned that Spartan warriors had a stick tied to a wirst or ankle which would be collected after a battle if the person wearing it died, in order to identify them.
 
Didn't the ancient Spartans have a similar system? I seem to recall watching a documentary where it was mentioned that Spartan warriors had a stick tied to a wirst or ankle which would be collected after a battle if the person wearing it died, in order to identify them.

As long as people have been dying, I'm sure they've wanted to be identified. Of course in ancient times the odds of not being able to identify a corpse seem lower - no shot or cannonballs to tear up faces, let alone mass artillery. And even then, a lot of soldiers in ancient greece at any rate had custom shields and equipment. Plus given the more personal nature of ancient battle I'd wager in most cases short of a total rout, at least somebody will probably see if you died and where.
 
Do you know what it looked like? Was it because of the 1870's war?
I'm writing fiction in that era so any source would be super appreciated :)
Sources in french only.

Tags were oval shaped, 47x32mm, with
  1. Name, first names
  2. Date and location of birth
  3. Residency location
  4. Unit (or mobilization for reservists)
  5. Serial number
 
Sources in french only.

Tags were oval shaped, 47x32mm, with
  1. Name, first names
  2. Date and location of birth
  3. Residency location
  4. Unit (or mobilization for reservists)
  5. Serial number
Happy with French! Thanks so much for all your replies :)

As long as people have been dying, I'm sure they've wanted to be identified. Of course in ancient times the odds of not being able to identify a corpse seem lower - no shot or cannonballs to tear up faces, let alone mass artillery. And even then, a lot of soldiers in ancient greece at any rate had custom shields and equipment. Plus given the more personal nature of ancient battle I'd wager in most cases short of a total rout, at least somebody will probably see if you died and where.
I imagine how many people died is also a big factor. Battles with 5000 people are not the same as the 100.000 armies of the Napoleonic era
 
Top