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U.S. Enlisted Collar Discs


Circular No. 68 issued by the War Department on October 8, 1907 described new insignia to be worn on the enlisted service uniform. Initially two 1" bronze discs were described, one on each side of the collar. One disc marked with the letters U.S., and the second with the insignia for the branch of service. The discs were to be attached useing a threaded post and thumb screw nut. Circular No. 78, issued on November 17, 1909 delayed the implementation to July 1, 1910. New instructions were issued that each soldier would wear two discs with the right one being the U.S. and the left one being the branch insignia. Specific designs were approved for each branch but several specialty discs were available through private purchase. Most "unofficial" discs were banned by 1920. In 1942, the design was changed to use 2 clutches to attach the disc to the uniform. Both Timmerman and Ballou clutches can be found on initial production, but the Ballou clutch soon became the standard. Dimples were added to the face of the Ballou clutch in 1948. The "pin-back" style was never officially authorized.

Note that similar discs were used by the U.S. Forestry Service, the Civilian Conservation Corps, the American Legion, the VFW, various Military schools and academies, and most ROTC programs.

© 2010, 2013 byGermanDaggers.com



Official Collar Disc Types





Type 1 1910-1926
Screwback



Type 2 1926-1937
Screwback



Type 3a 1937-1943
Screwback



Type 3a Disassembled
Screwback



Type 4 1942-1947-8?
various early type clutches



Type 5 1942-1970
Timmerman (top)/Ballou (bottom) clutches



Type 3b 1970-present
Balou (dimpled) clutches


Miscellaneous/Unattributed Collar Disc Types




Single pin type
Usually seen on State/Militia Discs



Stamped pin type
Theater Produced - Typically English



Pinback
Theater Produced - Typically French



Pinback
Theater Produced - Typically French



Pinback
Theater Produced - Typically French



Reproduction Screwback Disc
No pins on back



Reproduction Pinback Disc



Naugatuck Novelty Company Restrike
Note low domed area around screw post



Collar Disc Type 1

Type 1 Collar Discs were issued from 1910 until 1926. They were primarily issued in a bronze finish and used a screw nut to attach to the uniform. The left collar disc could contain the Regiment number and Company Letter, or number/letter combinations for special assignments. The left disc could also include the regiment number and company letter. To simplify disc production as mobilization for WW1 progressed, the Regiment number was moved to the right disc with the Company letter on the left disc. As mobilization continued and the number of units increased, both letter and number were dropped. Six background patterns have been identified but are considered manufacture variations. Army Regulations issued on October 14, 1921 stated that collar disks were to be bronze on service uniforms and gilt on white uniforms. On November 25, 1924 the bronze disks were dropped. Any discs still in service were to be polished to a bright finish. Below are typical examples.


Type 1 Right Collar Discs





US
1910-1924



USR
US Reserves (activated reserve units)
1910-1917



US
1921-1926



US - 64th Regiment
1917-1924



US - 20th Regiment
1921-1926



USNA
US National Army (draftee units)
1917



USNG
US National Guard (activated units)
1917



USR
US Reserves (activated reserve units)
1917



USV
US Volunteers (volunteer units)
1917



NA over US
US National Army (draftee units)
1917-1918



NG over US
US National Guard (activated units)
1917-1918



R over US
US Reserves (activated reserve units)
1917-1918



V over US
US Volunteers (volunteer units)
1917-1918



G over US
US State Guard/Militia Units
1917-1918



NA over US - 23rd Regiment
US National Army (draftee units)
1917-1918



NG over US - 139th Regiment
US National Guard (activated units)
1917-1918



CAL over US
California National Guard
1920-1924



MICH over US
Michigan National Guard
1920-1924



PENN over US
Pennsylvania National Guard
1920-1924



FLA over US - 124th Regiment
Florida National Guard
1920-1924



MASS over US - 101st Regiment
Massachuttes National Guard
1920-1924



MINN over US - 135th Regiment
Minnesota National Guard
1920-1924



Massachuttes Home/State Guard
1917-1926



New York Home/State Guard
1917-1926

Type 1 Left Collar Discs





Tank Service
1917-1918



Tank Service
1918-1921



Infantry (Tanks)
1921-1922



Infantry (Tanks)
1922-1924



Infantry (Tanks)
1922-1926



Air Service (unofficial)
1914-1917



Air Service (unofficial)
1914-1917



Air Service
1917-1924



Air Service
1921-1926



Bugler
1910-1922



Army Band
1922-1924



Army Band
1922-1926



Branch Immaterial
1922-1924



Branch Immaterial
1922-1926



Cavalry
1910-1924



Cavalry
1921-1926



Cavalry - 7th Regiment, B Company
1917-1924



Cavalry - A Company
1917-1924



Cavalry - 347th Regiment, Machinegun Company
1917-1924



Cavalry - 3th Regiment, Machinegun Company
1917-1918



Chemical Corps
1918-1924



Chemical Corps
1921-1926



Coast Artillery
1910-1924



Coast Artillery
1921-1926



Coast Artillery - Anti-Aircraft
1918-1921



Coast Artillery - Heavy Mortar
1918-1923



Coast Artillery - Mine Planter Service
1918-1924



Commissary Corps
1910-1924



Commissary Corps
1921-1926



Detached - Service School
1918-1924



Detached - Service School
1921-1926



Electrician
1918-1924



Corps of Engineers
1910-1924



Corps of Engineers - 16th Regiment, D Comapny
1910-1924



Corps of Engineers - E Comapny
1910-1924



Corps of Engineers - C Comapny
1921-1926



Puerto Rico/Cuba Construction Engineers
1910-1921



Puerto Rico/Cuba Construction Engineers
1918-1921



Field Artillery
1910-1924



Field Artillery
1921-1926



Field Artillery - 18th Regiment, E Battery
1917-1924



Field Artillery - B Battery
1917-1924



Field Artillery - AntiAircraft Battery
1917-1924



Field Artillery - Trench Mortar Battery
1917-1924



Field Artillery - Trench Mortar Battery
1917-1924



Field Clerk
1916-1918



Finance Department
1920-1924



Finance Department
1921-1926



General Headquarters
1918-1921



Headquarters
1918-1921



Military Police
1918-1919



Headquarters
1921-1926



Indian Scouts
1910-1917



Indian Scouts
1917-1926



Infantry
1910-1924



Infantry
1921-1926



Infantry - 21st Regiment, B Company
1917-1924



Infantry - D Company
1917-1924



Infantry - Supply Company
1917-1924



Infantry - Depot Battalion
1917-1924



Infantry - Machinegun A Company
1917-1924



Infantry - Machinegun Company
1917-1924



Infantry - 5th Regiment, Machinegun Company
1917-1918



Infantry - Pioneers
1918-1920



Infantry - State Guard/Militia
1917-1922



Infantry - State Guard/Militia
1917-1922



Infantry - Philippines Scouts
1910-1921



Infantry - Puerto Rico Scouts
1910-1921



Intelligence Police
1918-1924



Interpreter
1918-1924



Machinegun unit not attached to Infantry or Cavalry
1918-1924



Military Police
1919-1921



Medical Corps
1910-1924



Medical Corps
1921-1926



Motor Transport Corps
1918-1920



Ordnance Corps
1910-1924



Ordnance Corps
1921-1926



Prison Guard
1918-1920



Quartermaster Corps
1910-1924



Quartermaster Corps
1921-1926



Recuiting Service
1917-1920



Reserve Officer Training Corps
1910-1924



Reserve Officer Training Corps
1921-1926



Service Corps
1918-1920



Signal Corps
1910-1924



Signal Corps Radio Operator (unofficial)
1914-1917



Signal Corps Telegrapher (unofficial)
1914-1917



Signal Corps
1921-1926



Supply Train Company
1917-1920



Farriers/Horse Handlers
1910-1916



Veterinary Corps
1916-1917



Veterinary Corps
1917-1924



Veterinary Corps
1921-1926





Marine Right Collar Disc
Included for general interest
1914-1937



Marine Left Collar Disc
Included for general interest
1914-1937



Type 2 Collar Discs

Type 2 Collar Discs were issued from 1926 until 1937. They were primarily issued in a gilt finish with a standard hatched background and used a screw nut to attach to the uniform. The left collar disc could contain the Regiment number and Company Letter, or number/letter combinations for special assignments. The left disc could also include the regiment number and company letter. Below are typical examples.


Type 2 Right Collar Discs





US
1926-1937



US - 12th Regiment
1926-1937



NY over US
New York National Guard
1926-1937



PENN over US
Pennsylvania National Guard
1926-1937



MASS over US - 102nd Regiment
Massachuttes National Guard
1926-1937



NY over US - 106th Regiment
New York National Guard
1926-1937



Illinois Home/State Guard
1926-1937



New York Home/State Guard
1926-1937

Type 2 Left Collar Discs





Air Service
1926-1937



Army Band
1926-1937



Branch Immaterial
1926-1937



Cavalry
1926-1937



Cavalry - A Company
1926-1937



Cavalry - Machinegun Company
1926-1937



Cavalry - Armored Car Company
1928-1933



Cavalry - Armored Car Company
1933-1937



Chemical Corps
1926-1937



Coast Artillery
1926-1937



Coast Artillery - B Battery
1926-1937



Coast Artillery - Anti-Aircraft Battery
1926-1937



Coast Artillery - Mine Planter Service
1926-1937



Commissary Corps
1926-1937



Detached - Service School
1926-1937



Corps of Engineers
1926-1937



Corps of Engineers - B Company
1926-1937



Field Artillery
1926-1937



Field Artillery - B Battery
1926-1937



Field Artillery - Supply Company
1926-1937



Finance Department
1926-1937



Headquarters
1926-1937



Howitzer Battery
1926-1937



Indian Scouts
1926-1926



Infantry
1926-1937



Infantry - 2nd Regiment
1926-1937



Infantry - 4th Regiment
1926-1937



Infantry - C Company
1926-1937



Infantry - Supply Company
1926-1937



Infantry - Machinegun Company
1926-1937



Infantry - Howizter Battery
1926-1937



Infantry (Tanks)
1926-1937



Medical Corps
1924-1937



Military Intelligence
1926-1937



Military Police
1921-1937



Ordnance Corps
1924-1937



Quartermaster Corps
1926-1937



Reserve Officer Training Corps
1926-1937



Signal Corps
1926-1937



Veterinary Corps
1926-1937



Type 3a Collar Discs

Type 3a Collar Discs were issued from 1937 until 1943. Type 3a discs are of two piece construction consisting of a plain brass disc with a square hole in the center and a device that has a screw post to fit into the hole. A separate piece screwed on the back to hold the disc and device together. The assembly was attached to the uniform with a screw nut. They were discontinued due to the amount of brass used in their construction. In 1970, a similar multi-piece disc bacame standard issue. Collectors refer to the early discs as Type 3a and the later discs as Type 3b. Below are typical examples for Type 3a.


Type 3a Right Collar Discs





US
1937-1943



US - 4th Regiment
1937-1943



IOWA over US
Iowa National Guard
1937-1943



MASS over US
Massachuttes National Guard
1937-1943



NY over US - 105th Regiment
New York National Guard
1937-1943



WIS over US - 127th Regiment
Wisconsin National Guard
1937-1943



Illinois Home/State Guard
1937-1943



Ohio Home/State Guard
1937-1943

Type 3a Left Collar Discs





Adjutant General's Office
1937-1943



Armor Corps
1942-1943



Air Service
1937-1943



Army Band
1937-1943



Branch Immaterial
1937-1943



Cavalry
1937-1943



Cavalry - G Company
1937-1943



Cavalry - Supply Company
1937-1943



Cavalry - 106th Mechanized Cavalry
1937-1943



Cavalry - Armored Car Company
1937-1943



Cavalry - Machinegun Company
1937-1943



Cavalry - AntiTank Battery
1939-1943



Chemical Corps
1937-1943



Coast Artillery
1937-1943



Coast Artillery - B Battery
1937-1943



Coast Artillery - Searchlight Battalion
1937-1943



Coast Artillery - Supply Company
1937-1943



Coast Artillery - Combat Train
1937-1943



Coast Artillery - Mine Planter Service
1937-1943



Corps of Engineers
1937-1943



Field Artillery
1937-1943



Field Artillery - 128th Regiment D Battery
1937-1943



Field Artillery - 190th Regiment F Battery
1937-1943



Field Artillery - 606th Regiment
1937-1943



Field Artillery - 1st Regiment Headquarters
1937-1943



Field Artillery - F Battery
1937-1943



Field Artillery - Supply Company
1937-1943



Finance Department
1937-1943



First Special Forces
1942-1944



Headquarters
1937-1943



Infantry
1937-1943



Infantry (Tanks)
1937-1942



Infantry - 174th Regiment L Company
1937-1943



Infantry - 8th Regiment
1937-1942



Infantry - Headquarters
1937-1943



Infantry - Supply Company
1937-1943



Infantry - Howizter Battery
1937-1939



Infantry - AntiTank Battery
1939-1942



Medical Corps
1937-1943



Military Intelligence
1937-1943



Military Police
1937-1943



Military Police - C Company
1937-1943



Ordnance Corps
1937-1943



Quartermaster Corps
1937-1943



Signal Corps
1937-1943



Tank Destroyer
1942-1943



Transportation Corps
1942-1943



Women's Army Corps
1942-1943



Type 4 Collar Discs

Type 4 Collar Discs were available from 1942 until 1947-8. They were a thick disc and used clutch fasteners. Right disc is marked US, left discs are for the branch of service. Below are a few typical examples.





US
1942-1947-8





Corps of Engineers
1942-1947-8



Infantry
1942-1947-8



Reserve Officer Training Corps
1942-1947-8









Type 5 Collar Discs

Type 5 Collar Discs were issued from 1942 until 1970. They were one piece of thin stamped brass. A plate bearing two pointed posts was crimped on the back of the disc. Different shaped plates were used but are considered manufacturers variations. The plates were initially made of zinc, but brass was used after it was removed from the strategic materials list in 1945. The discs were attached to the uniform using Ballou clutches. Dimples were added to the clutches starting in 1948. The right disc is stamped US, left discs are stamped for the branch of service. Below are typical examples.





US
1942-1970





Adjutant General's Office
1942-1970



Air Defence Artillery
1968-1970



Armor Corps
1942-1951



Armor Branch
1951-1970



Army Security Branch
1954-1967



Air Service
1942-1970



Army Band
1942-1970



Branch Immaterial
1942-1970



Cavalry
1942-1970



Chemical Corps
1942-1970



Coast Artillery
1942-1950



Corps of Engineers
1942-1970



Field Artillery
1942-1970



Finance Department
1942-1970



First Special Forces
1942-1944



Infantry
1942-1970



Medical Corps
1942-1970



Military Intelligence
1942-1962



Military Intelligence
1962-1970



Military Police
1942-1970



Ordnance Corps
1942-1970



Quartermaster Corps
1942-1970



Signal Corps
1942-1970



Tank Destroyer
1942-1945



Transportation Corps
1942-1970



Women's Army Corps
1942-1970











Type 3b Collar Discs

Type 3b Collar Discs were available for private purchase after WW2. Both flat and domed varieties were available. Type 3b Collar Discs were authorized as standard issued in 1970. Type 3b discs are of two piece construction consisting of a plain brass disc with a hole in the center and a device that has a screw post to fit into the hole. A separate piece with 2 posts screwed onto the back to hold the disc and device together. The discs were attached to the uniform using Ballou clutches. The right disc is stamped US, left discs are stamped for the branch of service. Note that these are frequently advertised as issued during WW2 but that belief is controversial. Below are typical examples.





US
1970-





Adjutant General's Office
1970-



Air Defence Artillery
1970-



Armor Corps
1970-



Air Service
1970-



Army Band
1970-



Branch Immaterial
1970-



Cavalry
1970-



Chaplain Corps - Chaplain Assistant
2012-



Chemical Corps
1970-



Civilian Affairs Corps
1985-



Cyber Warfare Branch
2009-



Electronic Warfare Branch
2011-



Corps of Engineers
1970-



Field Artillery
1970-



Finance Department
1970-



Infantry
1970-



Inspector General
1978-



Judge Advocate General
2006-



Medical Corps
1970-



Military Intelligence
1970-



Military Police
1970-



Ordnance Corps
1970-



Public Affairs
1989-



Psychological Operations
2006-



Quartermaster Corps
1970-



Signal Corps
1970-



Special Forces
1970-



Transportation Corps
1970-