Identity Disc Question

[Richard Schimenti]

Recently I have seen quite a few reenactors that have I.D. tag hanging around their neck on twine or leather.

On some it sates the persons name and unit or just a number.

My question is just how popular or rather was this a prominent item among both sides during the war or is this just a fad that is going around the reenactor community.

R. Schimenti 2nd Kentucky Cav. Co. D

[NoahBriggs]

They were common, but not standard.

I suspect this is a fad. Possibly in an indirect connection to the modern dogtags of the Boys Overseas.

[Jim Mayo]

ID disc were usually bought at sutlers or made by jewlers. They came in a variety of forms one of the most common being the McClellen coin type.The use of corps badges increased their popularity since some badges could be engraved with the identification of the soldier. Of course officers had more money than enlisted so they probably had more and fancier badges. Shown here is a shield type ID badge. These were carried blank by the sutlers and engraved on the spot.

They were only worn by those who wanted and could afford them.