"The Notch"
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"The Notch"

Is it a Tooth Notch?
A
Locating Notch?
Something else?

Read on the mystery is solved here !


GENUINE ISSUE notched identification tags or dog tags are available custom imprinted with your information thru our on-line catalog.

Please visit our on-line catalog to purchase notched dog tags.

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The "Notch"

The "notch" in military dog tags appeared in the early 1940's when military identification tags were "standardized," and the military adopted a uniform set of regulations and specifications defining the military identification tag or dog tag.

Military dog tags issued during WWII, through Korea and into Viet Nam had a distinctive characteristic that instantly identifies these vintage dog tags and also ranks as one of the most highly debated, misunderstood myths or urban legends of all time - the "notch".


This photo is a fine example of a WWII identification tag or dog tag that illustrates the "notch" that has been the subject of many a conversation since it's introduction in the 1940's.

Myself included have spent most of my life believing that the notch located on military dog tags was a "tooth notch", it was not until we started selling dog tags and researching the issue that we found the truth about the "notch".

Before we tell you the truth behind the "notch" - let me list what the "notch" was NOT for:

  • The "notch" was NOT a "tooth notch" for placing the dog tag between the teeth of a deceased soldier.

  • The "notch" was NOT an aid to "start" the dog tag between the teeth when you "kicked" the tag into place on a deceased soldier.

  • The "notch" was NOT a "prop" used to keep the mouth open so that a bloating body would be able to expel internal gases until grave registration or mortuary affairs recovered the body.

  • The "notch" was NOT a "nail notch" and was NOT used for the first nail position when nailing a dog tag to a crate or coffin.

  • The "notch" was NOT for holding, locating or securing the blank tag plate in a machine to imprint the tag or when making the tag.
     


This is an actual dog tag issued during WWII in 1943 - the T43 means that Mr. Renney received his Tetanus shot in 1943 - if you will notice the '44 was added later as it is not in line with the other text of the tag.  For the complete history on this tag please see our page dedicated to Mr. Renney and the history behind this interesting man, a Corporal stationed at Love Field, Dallas, TX in 1942.  This man severed in both WWII and Korea.  Click here to be taken directly to that page. - RENNEY HISTORY -

If you want to believe all the myths and rumors you have heard about the "notch" in the dog tags then do not click on this link, if you want to know the truth then click on the button below.

"NOTCH" Truth

Here is one reply that we received when we posted questions about the "notch" on some Internet forums.

Geoffrey Perret's "There's A War To Be Won" disposes of the myth that the dogtag notch is so that it can be jammed in the teeth of the dead man. The notch is actually so that the nail can be hammered into the dogtag and wood of the dead man's coffin the QM Graves Registration Team buries the body. The notch enables the first nail to be put in the right position.


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Civil War Dog Tags ] WWI Dog Tags ] WWII Dog Tags ] [ "The Notch" ] Korean War Dog Tags ] Vietnam Dog Tags ] Current Issue Dog Tags ] Dog Tag Report 09/18/2004 ] Dog Tag Articles ] Radioactive ] Covers - Silencers ] Medical Alert Tag ] Dog Tag Necklace ] Emboss/Deboss ]

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