Vintage Military Dog Tags — Hand-Pressed on a Restored 1960s Impact Press

from $45.00

Each tag is individually machine-pressed by hand on a restored 1960’s Perma IV Press — a precision-built embossing machine from the 1960s. This antique press leaves a deep, tactile impression that no digital or laser process can replicate. Each character is impact-marked, creating subtle variations in depth and texture depending on the pressure — every tag is one of a kind.

Offered in three heritage metals — brass, stainless steel, and aluminum (each with a stainless chain and connector) — these tags follow vintage U.S. military specifications, complete with authentic rolled edges and crafted from genuine deadstock materials.

Upgrade materials include 100% authentic 1960s Vietnam War–issued dog tags and chains, along with other specialty deadstock options. All lengths will be cut in standard 26” length unless otherwise directed.

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About The Artist:
Philippe’s inspiration for the dog tags draws inspiration from a pair of GI dog tags from the Vietnam War. The stainless steel dog tags he wears were circulated during the Vietnam War, often sold by local street vendors to American soldiers stationed in Vietnam. Unlike official military-issue identification tags, these were commercial souvenirs written in Vietnamese.

His favorite pair of dog tags read:

“Tôi là một người Mỹ. Hãy mang đến cho tôi whisky và gái đẹp.”
(“I am an American. Bring me whisky and beautiful women.”)

As a collector of Vietnam War–era objects, he focuses on preserving the physical and cultural details of the time — the materials, the typography, and the subtle imperfections of hand-pressed metal that marked one of the most documented conflicts of the 20th century.

INSCRIPTION:

An email will be sent to confirm what you would like pressed onto your dog tags. *Limit 2 lines per dog tag.

MATERIAL OPTIONS

Dead-stock Brass

Vintage military-spec dog tags with rolled edges and genuine deadstock construction. Paired with a solid brass chain and connector — lead-free, nickel-free, and corrosion-resistant — designed to develop a warm, natural patina over time.

Includes: 2 dog tags, 1 ball chain clasp, 1 ball chain necklace, and your choice of custom hand-pressed lettering.

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Dead-stock Military Spec Stainless Steel

Precision-stamped from deadstock steel with classic rolled edges. Complete with a stainless steel chain and connector — lead-free, corrosion-resistant, and built to standard military chain length for enduring strength and shine.

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Dead-stock Field Issue Aluminum

Lightweight yet resilient, crafted from authentic deadstock aluminum with rolled edges. Paired with a stainless steel chain and connector — lead-free and corrosion-resistant — offering a clean, matte finish that stays bright and untarnished.

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GI Vietnam War Issue
Vingage GI: Genuine, unissued U.S. military dog tags manufactured in 1960’s. Blanks in this era were built to true military specifications, featuring a roughly .141” ± .005 chain hole diameter and fully rolled edges for durability and precision.

Each tag is pressed by hand on the restored Model 4 press, preserving its military-grade integrity while adding a distinct tactile depth. Made from original mid-century stock, these pieces carry the exact weight, texture, and finish as those issued to U.S. service members during the Vietnam War.

Includes: 2 dog tags, 1 ball chain clasp, 1 ball chain necklace, a 4–5" secondary chain (for the second tag), and 2 black rubber silencers — used during the Vietnam War era to prevent metal clinking that could reveal a soldier’s position, and original Vietnam War dog chain paper envelop.

Material:

Quantity:

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His favorite pair of dog tags read:

“Tôi là một người Mỹ. Hãy mang đến cho tôi whisky và gái đẹp.”
(“I am an American. Bring me whisky and beautiful women.”)

INSCRIPTION:

An email will be sent to confirm what you would like pressed onto your dog tags. *Limit 2 lines per dog tag.

MATERIAL OPTIONS

Dead-stock Brass

Includes: 2 dog tags, 1 ball chain clasp, 1 ball chain necklace, and your choice of custom hand-pressed lettering.

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Dead-stock Military Spec Stainless Steel

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Dead-stock Field Issue Aluminum

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First Dog Tag

Your first name (or first name and last initial) are pressed onto the top tag — keeping it simple, personal, and true to the classic military format.

Second Dog Tag

Last name (or middle initial and last name) or one of the optional sayings can be pressed on the second tag.

Each edition below reflects a different style — from authentic field slang to modern reinterpretations. Or, use any preferred saying of your choice with one to four short words.

Field Edition

Combat slang, duty life, and soldier grit — inspired by real in-country tags from the Vietnam era. Optional sayings: in country, on patrol, one shot, need ammo, for country, gi special, off duty, war baby, fly boy, grounded.

R&R Edition

Downtime humor and bar culture — what soldiers joked about between missions and nights out in Saigon. Optional sayings: and whiskey, whiskey time, whiskey run, and beer, cold beer, beer o’clock, cheap beer, cold one, pay day, cheap thrill, born lucky, lucky me, made it back.

Saigon Souvenir Edition

Modern reinterpretations that nod to street-market humor, food culture, and home comforts. Optional sayings: and coffee, and pho, and bbq, and noodles, and hot sauce, and bourbon, the goat.

Attitude Edition

Irony and defiance — the classic souvenir tone of GIs blending humor and hardship. Optional sayings: no mercy, no fear, no exit, zero regrets, don’t ask, one life, wild thing, wild card, stay sharp, stay wired, stay lucky, just lucky, born tired, half crazy, good enough, rough night, hot mess, bad company, peacemaker.

Survival Series

Resilience, calm, and the long road home — reminders of endurance and focus. Optional sayings: keep calm, long ride, wild ride, born lucky, chill time, stay sharp.