WWI Collar Disks and Regimental Affiliation

After writing about the collar disks on Poop’s “hate belt,” I thought it would be fun to do a couple posts on collar disks.

Photo 1 shows the prescribed collar disk arrangement for the US Army at the start of WWI. The disk on the right showed the regiment, branch of service and company letter. This meant every line company had its own unique collar disk – imagine the logistical and procurement challenge when suddenly the little pre-war Army of less than 100,000 men suddenly ballooned to become the 3,750,000 man army of WWI!

Photo 2 shows the exquisite solution. The regimental number was moved to the US Side. Now all the same numbered regiments in each branch had a common left disk, and all same lettered companies in each regiment within a branch had the same right disk. Simple genius.

Photo 3 shows the method of attachment – a screw post pushed through a specially made hole in the collar and secured with a nut. These nuts can differ according to the manufacturer.

Photo 4 shows an unusual alternative method sometimes encountered. These pin-latch backed discs were for the most part made in “in-country” during the war and occupation. This one matches those known to have been made in France during the war.