History of the Collar Disk

[cutiger83]

I thought it would be interesting and hopefully helpful to document the evolution of the collar disk. Everything stated in this thread is quoted from the book, “The Collar Disk Story” by Albert Scipio. Anyone who collects collar disks needs this book.

 

I would like to thank JMAR for his invaluable help with this thread. He very patiently helped me with question after question. He even sent me some great pictures. You can tell by the quality of the pictures which ones are his! I would also like to thank Rusty Canteen for encouraging me to research and post this history.

 

History: (Reference Scipio, The Collar Disk Story (1907-1999) pgs 13 – 44)

 

The first collar disks were one inch in diameter with raised edge, a threaded post and thumbscrew nut for attachment. They were made of solid, dark finished copper with a color range from true bronze to a blackish-brown.

 

It was commonly held that gilt disks came into existence in 1921 as part of a series of changes to enlisted men collar insignia. Several of the changes were due to AR600-35, 14 October 1921, which directed in Section III that:

 

Except as otherwise prescribed, metal insignia for wear on uniform clothing will be of two kinds:

1. Bronze
2. Gold or gilt medal

The bronze insignia is for wear on the service uniform, the gold or gilt insignia for wear on the white uniform.

 

But the gilt disk goes back farther than that. The first evidence of a gilt disk, at least one authorized, is that specified in War Department Specifications Number 1074 of 1910 for the Service School and West Point Detachment. Two other gilt disks are known to have been authorized prior to the 1921 regulation, the Air Service Type II disk and a device designed for the United States Guards of 1918.

 

In 1907, the regiment number existed on the branch device. In 1917, the regimental number was moved to the “US” device. In 1941, company designation was removed from branch device. In 1947, regimental number was removed from the “US” device. In 1958, regimental number placed above branch device. In 1968, regimental number above branch device and battalion number below.

 

Background Pattern Change:

 

The reason for changing the disk background is not clear, particularly the selection of a more intricate pattern. There were 6 different background styles:

• Smooth – without pattern
• Dot – rounded raised dots, regularly arranged
• Pebble – raised irregular bumps of triangular sizes, randomly arranged
• Cross-hatch – raised lines intersecting to from diamond shapes
• Horizontal diamond – raised diamonds with long axis horizontal, regularly arranged
• Vertical diamond – raised diamonds with long axis vertical, regularly shaped

 

Fastening Techniques:

1. Screw post – The screw post fastener consisted basically of a threaded post and a thumbscrew nut. The post was attached to the back of the insignia and held to the uniform by a nut of similar locking device. This method was first utilized on US insignia around 1896 and predominantly on hat badges, became the standard fastener system for collar disks when adopted in 1907. While the screw post had several advantages as an attachment, it was unpopular because it required that a hole be cut in the uniform for insertion of the post.
2. Pin latch – The pin latch system, introduced around 1876, was used until 1896 on hat and cap insignia and from 1895 to 1926 on officer’s collar insignia. Earlier versions of this attachment method consisted of a thin pin attached to the back of the insignia with a simple loop at the far end of to secure the pin. Later versions, after 1916, had a safety latch to secure the pin and prevent it from coming undone. This type of fastener was discarded when AR600-25, 31 December 1926, authorized only small screw back or clutch.
3. Clutch fastener – This method began with the Type III disks

 

After two decades of use, bronze insignia came to an end. On 25 November 1924, AR 600-35 eliminated all bronze insignia from the uniform. All future metal insignia for wear on uniform clothing would be of gold, gilt, or gilding. However, the regulations permitted continued use of serviceable bronze insignia on hand provided the bronze finish was removed and the metal polished. Quite naturally, manufacturers took full advantage of the latitude and removed the bronze finish from stock items, including long obsolete types, which explains the existence of gilt like designs which were supposedly made only in bronze.

[cutiger83]

Type I Disks

 

One piece collar disks with smooth, fine dotted or pebble background or field are referred to as Type I. Initially made in bronze or with bronze finish, this was our first EM collar disk. It was used from 1907 until 1926 when replaced by the Type II. In 1921, bronze devices were replaced by gilt devices. For bronze disks of then current designs soldiers were permitted to remove the bronze finish and use the disks until supplies were exhausted. The disks had screw post fasteners; however, a few are found with pin-latch attachments. Reference Scipio, The Collar Disk Story (1907-1999) pg 44

 

The Type I - Bronze screw back 1907-1921

 

The four disks in this picture are examples of the bronze Type I disks.

 

Row 1 is National Disk and Corps of Engineers, Company A

Row 2 is Artillery and National Disk

 

 

Here are the backs of the four disks

 

[cutiger83]

This is an example of a pin back ROTC Type I disk

 

 

This shows the pin back attachment:

 

[cutiger83]

Type I - Gilt screw back 1921-1926

 

This disk shows the Type I gilt device with the dot pattern background.

 

[cutiger83]

This disk shows the Type I gilt device with the pebble pattern background.

 

[cutiger83]

Type II Collar Disks (Bronze and Gilt)

 

Collar disks classified as Type II are one piece with intricate background pattern. Background consists of small circles or shield or acorn designs within a cross-hatched pattern. Type II disks exist also in dark bronze or black and gilt finishes. Official use of these disks was authorized from 1926 until 1937. However, earlier use was previously pointed out. Unofficial employment was actually extended until about 1940. These disks used the screw post fastener system. A majority of Type II collar disks are for National Guard and State Militia units. Reference Scipio, The Collar Disk Story (1907-1999) pg 215

 

Type II - Gilt screw back 1926-1937

 

This disk shows the Type II gilt device with the cross-hatched pattern.

 

[cutiger83]

Some disks have a hallmark on the back.

 

This Type II disk shows the Amcraft Metal hallmark on the back

 

 

 

 

This Type II disk shows the AE Co Utica NY hallmark on the back

 

[cutiger83]

The Type II 2-piece are just like the 1-piece except the devices are soldered to the front of the disk, not part of the stamped disk itself.

 

This picture shows both Type II and Type IIIA disks. You can see the similarity between the two. The way to be sure of the difference is if you can disassemble it by unscrewing the small pronged retainer then it's a Type IIIA. All of these are Type II except for the US insignia in the middle left and the winged propeller insignia in the bottom left.

 

 

Here are the backs:

 

[cutiger83]

Type III Collar Disks

 

In 1937, a new design of collar disk was adopted, a two piece disk of solid brass with organizations device on a plain pattern-less background. Classified as Type III, these disks were used from 1937 until about 1944. Type III collar disks can be found with both screw post fastener and clutch fastener systems. The latter being used about 1943. Type III disks with clutch fasteners were re-employed in 1970. Reference Scipio, The Collar Disk Story (1907-1999) pg 237

 

Type IIIA screw back 1937-1943

 

This is an example of a Type IIIA disk.

 

 

Note the rounded edges on the back of this Type IIIA disk

 

 

 

This is another example of a Type IIIA disk

 

 

Note the straighter edge on the back of this Type IIIA disk

 

 

[cutiger83]

Type IIIB Flat clutch back (3-piece) 1943-?

Type IIIB Flat clutch back (2-piece) 1946-present

 

Here are a few examples of the Type IIIB clutch back:

 

 

 

Note the different types of backing on these disks

 

[cutiger83]

Type IIIB Domed clutch back 1946-1962

 

This is a Type IIIB WAC insignia.

 

 

 

Note the variation of the attachment system

 

[cutiger83]

Type III with enameled outer edge:

During the 1950’s units sometimes added a colored (branch color) border, either enamel or plastic, as a background to the collar disk worn. Reference Scipio, The Collar Disk Story (1907-1999) pgs 268 & 269

 

The colors were:

Armor/Cavalry – yellow

Infantry - light blue

Quartermaster – buff

Military Police – green

U.S. – light blue and yellow

U.S. – red and navy blue

Field Artillery – scarlet

Cavalry – yellow

Armor/Cavalry – green and yellow

Engineer – scarlet and white

Medical – maroon and white

Transportation – brick red and yellow

WAC – green

Letters “OMA” above star, orange border (Oklahoma Military Academy)

Signal – orange and yellow

Ordnance – red and yellow

 

Here is an example of the artillery:

 

Artillery EM Type III Reference Scipio, The Collar Disk Story (1907-1999) pgs 268 & 269, see also Emerson Encyclopedia of United States Army Insignia and Uniforms, page 94

Red enamel with silver domes circa 1952, unauthorized.

 

 

 

Here is an example of the engineer:

 

Engineer EM Type III Reference Scipio, The Collar Disk Story (1907-1999) pgs 268 & 269, see also Emerson Encyclopedia of United States Army Insignia and Uniforms, page 221

Red and white banded enamel with silver and regimental number, domed circa 1952, unauthorized. These are multi piece construction and often came with a matching hat badge (shown) for the visor cap.

 

 

Here is an example of an engineer with a thin, flat plastic ring which slides over the clutch posts and is held on by the clutches. Gold finish with regimental number and headquarters, domed probably unauthorized. Unsure of era, these came with 2 sets of 130th F.A. DIs, one set pin back the other clutch back. Engineer EM Type III reference Emerson Encyclopedia of United States Army Insignia and Uniforms, page 62 Infantry example with plastic ring.

 

 

Here is an example of the infantry:

 

Infantry EM Type III Reference Scipio, The Collar Disk Story (1907-1999) pgs 268 & 269, see also Emerson Encyclopedia of United States Army Insignia and Uniforms, page 62

Blue enamel with silver domes circa 1952, authorized.

 

 

Here is an example of an infantry with a blue plastic disk with shouldered edge and inset for disk. Gilt flat circa Authorized in 1952. These are multi piece construction and often came with a matching hat badge (shown) for the visor cap. An interesting note is that this appears to have been the only authorized use of a colored ring to denote the branch of service. The other branches based their unauthorized insignia on the Infantry's pattern.

Infantry EM Type III Reference Scipio, The Collar Disk Story (1907-1999) pgs 268 & 269, see also Emerson Encyclopedia of United States Army Insignia and Uniforms, page 62

 

[cutiger83]

Type IV Collar Disks

 

The Type IV disk is a thick stamped insignia of one piece construction with a clutch fastener. Use of this disk was short-lived so only limited examples are known to exist. Indications are the period of its production was about 1942-1943. Reference Scipio, The Collar Disk Story (1907-1999) pg 273

 

This is a beautiful example of the rare Type IV collar disk. Thanks JMAR for sending me this picture of his collar disk.

 

[cutiger83]

Type V Collar Disks

 

Competition for metal to meet World War II production needs prompted modification of insignia design. Type III disks were replaced by thin stamped forms referred to as Type V disks. They were so designed to require neither unit numbers nor company letters. A clutch fastener system was used. This type of collar disk was used from about 1943 to 1970. Reference Scipio, The Collar Disk Story (1907-1999) pg 279

 

Type V Stamped, clutch back 1943-1970

 

These three are examples of the Type V collar disk.

 

 

 

Note the different style backs for the Type V collar disk

 

[cutiger83]

The three disks shown in this picture are various silver types used post Korean War to current day.

The Medical Corps is a Type IIIB, used post Korean War in the 1950s and often found with either a plastic ring denoting the branch of service or, an enameled ring. These rings were unofficial, but worn quite often by higher ranking NCOs.

The Cutout US Disk is a USAF disk currently worn by enlisted ranks. There is a brass variation that was used during the transition of the AAC to the USAF.

 

The other US disk is a locket type which was an unofficial disk. Due to its’ dome shape and silver color was probably used around the same 1950's era.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are the backs:

 

 

Here is a close up of the locket

 

 

 

[cutiger83]

While this thread is about the history of the collar disk, I did want to add a link to two threads on the forum about fake WWI (type I) collar disks.

 

This first one was written by Andrew from Wartimecollectables. He graciously gave me permission to add his pictures to this thread. As he stated, note the backs and absence of the 'teat' device to keep the disc in place on the uniform.

 

Here is the link to his thread:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/185246-wwi-collar-discs/

 

 

 

[cutiger83]

This is another great thread that was written by CWNORMA. He shows pictures of restrike WWI collar disks. The information in this thread is very interesting as well. Note how he talks about the tell-tale “hump” of these disks.

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/28159-restrike-ww1-collar-disks/?hl=%2Brestrike+%2Bww1+%2Bcollar+%2Bdisks

 

 

 

[cutiger83]

This is the end of my posts. If anyone has examples of any variations not shown in this thread, please feel free to add your pictures.

 

Thanks, Kat

[cutiger83]

I knew I would forget to add a picture or two. This is a hallmarked one that Joe said some of you might find interesting.

 

Here is the front:

 

 

Here is the back:

 

[skautdog]

cutiger83,

Thanks for the information and your time to post it!

Ken

[Terry K.]

Nice article Kat!

[cutiger83]

Terry and Ken,

 

Thanks so much for the kind words. It definitely was a labor of love!

 

...Kat

[ScottG]

This is certainly a resource I will refer to often, thank you for taking the time to do this. Scott.

[RustyCanteen]

This is a great resource, some of the disks pictured you just don't see!

 

Thanks for taking the time to share this.

RC

[bobgee]

You done good, Kat! Thanks for the great post. Bobgee