Erkennungsmarke/ Brustbeutel- Identity Disc and Leather Pouch

[Matt L]

Hey Guys,

I just thought I'd post a picture of this rather nice Erkennungsmarke/Brustbeutel set I picked up recently. The leather pouch isn't actually for carrying the disc, it appears to be more of a purse of sorts- to carry coins or other small objects. It's a rather odd design actually, but interesting.







Matt

[W Petz]

Bruestbeutel

Hi Matt,

To my understanding none of these leather pouches were made specifically for the erkennungsmarke. The were all private purchase and a variety were used as coin purses by children during the 1920's through the 1940's. The type you have posted here is shown in several well known reference books. I have a variety of different types that I picked up in various flea markets (many with ID Tags) in Germany over the years. So there were more than one type that were used by the German Soldier in rememberence of their childhood and out of necessity (less noise created and protected the ID tag). Bill Petz

[Matt L]

Thanks for the reply Bill- yeah, I've always understood that these were non-issue items as well, although I didn't know about the children's coin purse association with this particular type. That's quite interesting. I've actually seen replicas of this style for sale on reenactor sites and even on ebaY.

The other example I have in my collection is very simple and rather crudely made. Simply thin leather folded once, and sewn along each side to form the pouch leaving a bit at the top for the flap. The stitching is machine-done, but not at all straight suggesting non-professional manufacture. It definitely held a disc for a long time though- the impression in the leather is quite distinct- and it hasn't the capacity to hold anything else.

Interestingly, I've only even seen one wartime photograph of soldiers wearing their Erkennungsmarken in Brustbeuteln- and they were recruits in a barracks.

[Chris Stewart]

Wow Matt, I didn't know you got that one. Beauty!

Thanks for the reply Bill- yeah, I've always understood that these were non-issue items as well, although I didn't know about the children's coin purse association with this particular type. That's quite interesting. I've actually seen replicas of this style for sale on reenactor sites and even on ebaY.

The other example I have in my collection is very simple and rather crudely made. Simply thin leather folded once, and sewn along each side to form the pouch leaving a bit at the top for the flap. The stitching is machine-done, but not at all straight suggesting non-professional manufacture. It definitely held a disc for a long time though- the impression in the leather is quite distinct- and it hasn't the capacity to hold anything else.

Interestingly, I've only even seen one wartime photograph of soldiers wearing their Erkennungsmarken in Brustbeuteln- and they were recruits in a barracks.

[Matt L]

Here are images of the second type of Brustbeutel I have:





As you can see, the stitching is quite amateurish, and the pouch itself is quite simple- and the impression left by the Erkennungsmarke once held within is quite visible on the front at the bottom.

[Chris Stewart]

Did you get that on its own, or did it come with a disc?

[Gaspare]

I'm sure many of these were converted coin pouches. But these were also sold for the purpose of holding the tag. They were available at stores and outdoor magazine type stands. , G.