Estonian SS-Legion id tag 1./Estn. -125-

Very nice and rare zinc Erkennungsmarke from a member of the 1st Company of the Estnische SS-Freiwilligen-Legion, stamped "1./ESTN.-SS-LEGION" with the number "125" on the reverse.

The Estonian SS Legion was formed in August 1942 at Debica in Poland. In 1943 it was expanded into the Estnische SS-Freiwilligen-Brigade, and in 1944 into the 20. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (estnische Nr. 1). It was found in Berlin-Tempelhof.

The tag has been identified as belonging to an Estonian SS-Unterscharführer of the 1st Company of Waffen-Grenadier-Regiment 45 (estnische Nr. 1). We don't know how it ended up there, since the 20th Estonian division was fighting elsewhere, but the owner must have been transferred to another unit, or been in a certain depot unit in that area. The tag itself is in good condition, with all text clearly readable on both halves. Both halves are complete and unbroken, with all three holes and the perforation slots intact. There is light corrosion and some rust staining, mostly around the edges and the lower hole.

A rare Estonian tag to find in Berlin, and one that has been identified as well.

Item code: US2EH