I am going through some things that came down to me thru the passing of family. I have found my grandfather's WW II dog tag. He was in the Persian Gulf command, a quartermaster. I would like to do a framed display of his war portrait and include the dog tag. The problem is that the tag is pretty dirty and discolored. It does not seem to be made of aluminum, It appears to be a bronze maybe. Does anyone know what these tags were made of and have a safe suggestion for cleaning it. Of course I want to be very careful.
Not reloading but can you help?
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Generally, the World War II dog tags were stainless steel and had a "notch" in them.
Take a look at this site: http://www.armydogtags.com/notched.htm
and see if this shape looks like yours.
If not, come on back and we will help chase them down.
Take a look at this site: http://www.armydogtags.com/notched.htm
and see if this shape looks like yours.
If not, come on back and we will help chase them down.
Thanks for the web site info
This certainaly looks like mine. I could not believe they were stainless as the tag is discolored so bad. If they are stainless would they be this discolored and how would you clean it? Also I do know that this tag one time had the rubber ring around it - although it deteriorated away years ago. He always said the rubber ring was to keep the tag from burning you in the 100 degree plus heat or the Persian Gulf, but the web info says this rubber was a silencer?
This certainaly looks like mine. I could not believe they were stainless as the tag is discolored so bad. If they are stainless would they be this discolored and how would you clean it? Also I do know that this tag one time had the rubber ring around it - although it deteriorated away years ago. He always said the rubber ring was to keep the tag from burning you in the 100 degree plus heat or the Persian Gulf, but the web info says this rubber was a silencer?
The silencers were used to keep the tags from rattling against buttons and other metal, giving away the soldier's position.
If your dog tag is made from most anything -- EXCEPT aluminum, silver or laquered finishes -- use Brasso, which will clean and shine brass, stainless steel, chrome, copper and pewter.
I love that stuff and am constantly finding new uses for it. Wal-Mart carries it in the cleaner section of the grocery department.
If the tag is aluminum, which it might be, get a little tub of Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish. Wal-Mart may have it in the automotive department. If not, you can get it at an auto parts store.
You can determine if it's aluminum by its light weight and it'll have a dull sound if you tap it against another metal.
If your dog tag is made from most anything -- EXCEPT aluminum, silver or laquered finishes -- use Brasso, which will clean and shine brass, stainless steel, chrome, copper and pewter.
I love that stuff and am constantly finding new uses for it. Wal-Mart carries it in the cleaner section of the grocery department.
If the tag is aluminum, which it might be, get a little tub of Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish. Wal-Mart may have it in the automotive department. If not, you can get it at an auto parts store.
You can determine if it's aluminum by its light weight and it'll have a dull sound if you tap it against another metal.
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Even stainless will rust. Eventually. It is not really stainless, just less likely to stain/rust quickly. Body sweat can also cause premature corrosion or discoloration.
The Brasso suggestion is a good one, or there is this stuff called Semi-chrome. Ultra-fine abrasive for superior polishing.
http://www.emall4antiques.com/simichrome.htm
It works very good and I used it when I was in the Air Force.
The Brasso suggestion is a good one, or there is this stuff called Semi-chrome. Ultra-fine abrasive for superior polishing.
http://www.emall4antiques.com/simichrome.htm
It works very good and I used it when I was in the Air Force.
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