BSG tag font ID

MML

MML

Well-Known Member
I'm hoping one of our resident font experts can help - I'm trying to find the font used on the BSG dog tags!
I got a set of MJF's from the ASAP boards and am going to put my name on them. If I can find a set of similar punches, then happy days; if I can't I'll get the exact font engraved on the milling machine.
I'd prefer the font style used on the L. Katrain & S. Tigh tags.

Here's a pic of some of the props:




Here are MJF's blanks:





P.S. MJF is taking orders for a new run of BSG tags and pins - head over to ASAP to help him out! :)
 
Sure is odd they are inconsistent. You'd think a military item would be all the same--and uniform!
 
Banzai88 said:
Sure is odd they are inconsistent. You'd think a military item would be all the same--and uniform!
Click to expand...

You'd think the prop department wouldn't waist time with two sets of letter dies. Perhaps it was time... they had more than one person making dogtags in order to finish the job quicker and each used a different set of dies?

That "G" in Tigh's name looks familiar. I'll do some digging and see what i can find.
 
The dogtags, as has been mentioned in the auctions, were sometimes made from metal, other times from resin.

Different versions between Mini-series & the rest of the 4 seasons.

For punches, try these guys: http://columbiamt.com/CMT-Main/

I bought a set of numbers a few years ago that matched the German stamps used on Broomhandles.
 
Thanks guys - any and all help appreciated!

Anyone got any more ideas? I suppose it could be a custom font, but it makes more sense to use something that's already available. I've tried sites like Identifont.com but no luck there.
 
Sorry, I came up dry with the fonts I had. Perhaps it's on my laptop? That "G" really looks familiar... I really think I have it on one of my computers... I just hope it wasn't that drive that cratered last year. That was my old box from college and I quit doing back ups of it years ago.
 
RedTwoX said:
You'd think the prop department wouldn't waist time with two sets of letter dies. Perhaps it was time... they had more than one person making dogtags in order to finish the job quicker and each used a different set of dies?
Click to expand...

They aren't letter dies, they are all laser-etched. That's what causes the ball-like shape at the end of each line, the laser pauses for an instant to change direction and makes a slightly deeper burn.

I imagine they look different because a laser can burn resin/plastic a lot easier than metal. And when they needed to etch more later on in the series, a different operator might have used a different font or laser strength setting.

Might also be why the font is hard to find, it's probably a custom font for the laser etching machines...

Rik
 
I was thinking they were being super accurate. Since Tigh would have enlisted years before someone like Thrace, they might have looked differently. Also, folks who got their tags while in the ragtag fleet might have gotten the cheap resin ones or something.
I don't think current tags look like WWII tags, do they? (I really am not sure, I just doubt it.)
Those blanks are very sweet!

I wish i had picked some up when they were offered here and I was less interested.
 
Vaderman said:
Those blanks are very sweet!

I wish i had picked some up when they were offered here and I was less interested.
Click to expand...

You're in luck - MJF on the ASAP forums is taking orders for a new run - see here:
http://propreplicas.yuku.com/forums/109

He's still short the required number for an order, so if you sign up you'd be helping out! They're really good, solid, accurate replicas - I highly recommend them!
 
MML said:
You're in luck - MJF on the ASAP forums is taking orders for a new run - see here:
http://propreplicas.yuku.com/forums/109

He's still short the required number for an order, so if you sign up you'd be helping out! They're really good, solid, accurate replicas - I highly recommend them!
Click to expand...


The only problem with MJF's is that they all come with the same serial number on them...and he says he won't honor requests for different numbers or simply leaving the number off. :(
 
QMX will do them personalized for you but unfortunately, they come with the freaking copyright info on the back.
 
I think I'm going to have to go the machining route. I've had no luck tracking down punches and the places I did get a response from want a lot of $$$ for a custom set.
With machining I have more accuracy and flexibility over what goes where. I did up a quick drawing and my buddy's currently working on a program for the mill.
The text is only 2mm high, at that size and width it'll be hard to tell it was machined and not stamped.

I'll post the results as soon as I can get some machine time!

 
MML: maybe this will help-

There is one dude selling these on eBay (USA).

Forget the name.
Haven't bought any.
Offers them in 2 thicknesses.
Will put anything on them you want.

IF someone has purchased from this fellow, speak loud and now about their quality.
 
We just got a laser engraver at work. I'm gonna buddy up with the guy that runs it and see if I can get mine engraved.
 
What did you use to design your tag? IIRC, from what I've gleaned from talking to the guy who will be running the engraver, the PC pretty much treats it as a printer and I think it interfaces with Corel Draw.
 
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