History of the Artifact Metal identification tags—commonly known as dog tags—were introduced relatively late in the Soviet Union compared to Western armies. During World War II, Soviet soldiers were issued small aluminum or steel capsules rather than flat tags. These cylindrical capsules contained a rolled paper insert listing the soldier’s name, birth year, and unit. The system proved unreliable: paper decayed easily in harsh conditions, and many soldiers went into battle without their capsules. As a result, millions of fallen Soviet troops remained unidentified after the war. It was not until the 1960s that the Soviet military began using flat metal tags similar to those seen in NATO forces. These later versions were oval or rectangular aluminum disks stamped with identification numbers, and by the Afghan War of the 1980s they had become standard issue. Even then, tags generally listed only numeric codes (never personal names) to maintain secrecy and protect operational security. Today, surviving examples of these metal tags are poignant relics of the immense human cost of Soviet military service. How do I know these are original Soviet Dog Tags? Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection: Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process. What will my artifact look like? Your Dog Tag will look very similar to the one shown in the photos. There will always be some variety, given our items are unique historical pieces. The display case included is openable so that you may easily handle and closely observe the artifact. If for whatever reason you get anything that does not fit this description you are entitled to your money back! Your order will include: One authentic Soviet Union Dog Tag Elegant protective case for preservation and display of your artifact Certificate of Authenticity Ancient Artifacts relics are guaranteed authentic and have a 100% money back policy. Read more about our Mission and Promise for authenticity.
