This is a very rare zinc Erkennungsmarke from a recruit in the 5./SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Ausbildungs-und-Ersatz-Bataillon 11, the training unit for the III. (germanisches) SS-Panzer-Korps, which had its base in Graz in Austria. From the Summer of 1943 until the end of the war, many thousands of soldiers were trained here, including thousands of so-called Germanic volunteers from the Netherlands, Flanders and Scandinavia.

The classic tag for this unit has no company designation, but there were a few exceptions. For some reason, several hundreds of tags like the one we have on offer were issued, alsways with the word "Ausb." (= Ausbildung) erased and with the text "5. Ausb. Kp." added, meaning the 5th training company of SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Ausbildungs-und-Ersatz-Bataillon 11. There is proof that these tags were issued, and we believe without any doubt it is a real example.

We do not know who the owner was, but that might be researched further.

Spectacular and extraordinary rare foreign volunteer tag in very good solid condition.

We have only seen a couple before.