AUSCHWITZ-TYPE CONCENTRATION CAMP METAL TATTOO STAMPS

AUSCHWITZ-TYPE CONCENTRATION CAMP METAL TATTOO STAMPS
AUSCHWITZ-TYPE CONCENTRATION CAMP METAL TATTOO STAMPS
Group of eight stamps, constructed of metal pins set into metal bases, assembled in the forms of the numbers 9, 6, 4 (mising pins), 2, R, L, H, and one unidentified.The stamps are made with chisel-shaped pins, and most are marked t on the reverse. The pins are firmly attached to 3/4 x 3/8 in. metal bases. These numbers and letters were designed to be used with a special punch-like tattoo tool, manufactured by the firm of Jetter & Scheerer and known to have been used to tattoo inmates at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp complex, the only camps to apply identifying tattoos to their inmates in this manner. At first, the tattoos were applied to the left side of the chest, and later to the left forearm. The initial piercing would be followed by the application of ink rubbed into the bleeding wound. The use of punched tattoos, as represented here, was eventually found to be inefficient, and was later replaced by a single heated needle apparatus. Similar examples were discovered in 2014, and are now on display at Auschwitz. The origin of these examples is unknown, but it is certain that they emanate from the Jetter & Scheerer tattooing device.