Germany. A Kriminalpolizei (Criminal Police) Identification Tag & Documents, belonging to Alois Potsch

(Staatliche Kriminalpolizei Dienstmarke). Mid-Range Planchet Number. In die-struck bronze (non magnetic); obverse depicting a national eagle clutching a wreathed swastika, reverse presenting “Staatliche Kriminalpolizei” and officially numbered “10451”; measuring 51.06 mm (w) x 37.29 mm (h); weighing 29.9 grams. Accompanied by a Militärpaß, issued 1909, and named to Zugsführer (platoon leader) Alois Potsch of the 1st Company of k.u.k. Feldjäger (light infantry) Battalion No. 5. With a passport, in German and French. It is dated to Vienna on June 3, 1929. Potsch’s profession is stated as detective of the police. The passport is valid for all European nations. It contains entries dated to between 1930 and 1937. The death certificate is dated to Vienna on November 23, 1945. All in overall near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: He was born on June 10, 1888 in Lobnig, Moravia (present-day Lomnice, eastern Czech Republic). Potsch served the mandatory term of three years in the Austrian Imperial army prior to the First War. Initially, his profession is given as coachman, but at some point this changed to guard. He acquired local citizenship in Vienna in August of 1917 after being hired in 1914. It is unclear what exactly he did, but presumably he became a police officer. It is unknown if he served in the military during the First War. Potsch was married, but had no children. At the time of his death, he was in the position of Kriminalobersekretär (Senior Detective Sergeant). Potsch died on April 7, 1945 in a hospital in Vienna, succumbing to a fragmented right leg. The circumstances of his injury are unknown.