The wait is finally over. The set of 7 BSG character dog tags that I pre-ordered (and paid for) in Dec 2006, arrived today.

The photo on the left was taken by Aaron of the Chief’s actual dog tags.
The photo on the right is of the QMX dog tags.

They’re not perfect. The font is wrong (look at the number 9). And you can’t tell from the photo on the right (because of the camera flash) but the dog tags are VERY dark in colour. And the chain is wayyyyyyyy too long but that can easily be fixed. Do you think Aaron will suggest I be committed if I ask him to count the beads on his dog tags so I can make mine the same length? :)

But they are the best replica dog tags that I’ve seen so far. Can’t complain when they cost less than USD$20. They are much better than those awful shiny dog tags that QMX are selling for USD$49.95 (see image below) and all the other fan made Chief Tyrol dog tags that I’ve purchased off ebay in the past.

 

Below is a scan of the Chief Tyrol ‘character biography card’ that came with the dog tags.

[click on the thumbnails to enlarge images]

The Chief Tyrol Dog Tags (mentioned HERE) are now available for sale on the QMX website.

http://www.quantummechanix.com/BSGDogTags.html

The QMX Dog Tags have finally been released. These are the dog tags that they have been advertising since December 2006.

The QMX website still has them listed as AVAILABILITY – TBA. The majority of websites are selling them as a set of 7 on pre-order for around USD$104. The only place I’ve found them for sale individually is at Battlestar Online and Forbidden Planet.

[click on thumbnails to enlarge images]

 

UPDATE: I just received the latest QMx Insider email newsletter. They are selling the dog tags individually (or as a set of all seven) to subscribers of their email. Then they will be selling them to the public in “just a few days”.

At the start of the email it reads ……..

“Battlestar Galactica Character Dog Tags These seven screen-accurate dog tags are now available to QMx Insider subscribers and can be purchased either individually or as a set of all seven. Check out the article below for prices and links to buy. These will be going out to the general public in just a few days and we anticipate selling out on many of the individual character tags, so don’t delay!”

Then the following is also in the email newsletter ……

Today Aaron sent me a photo of Chief Tyrol’s current dog tags.

According to Battlestar Wiki the serial number on Chief Tyrol’s dog tags are 312365. That’s what I also knew them as because he let me wear his dog tags at the WOLF G1 con in October 2005 and I took a photo of them.

Quantum Mechanix are selling BSG Character Dog Tags for USD$49.95 and I bought the Chief Tyrol ones. When they arrived the serial number on them was 409185. I emailed them and told them they got the serial number wrong. They told me that’s the info they got from the studio (read more about that in THIS post). So I asked Aaron about the serial number and he took a photo of his Chief Tyrol dog tags for me and the serial number is 409185 (as you can see in the above photo).

So it appears that the serial number on Chief Tyrol’s dog tags have changed. I guess when they made him new dog tags and changed it from “C. Tyrol” to “G. Tyrol” they changed the serial number.

Anyway, that’s a bit of useless information for anyone that cares about that kind of stuff :)

You can view the larger versions of the dog tag photos below.

EDIT: Battlestar Wiki has been updated to Chief Tyrol’s new dog tag serial number (409185).

One of these things is not like the other, one of these things doesn’t belong.
Can you guess which thing is not like the other before I finish this song?

Some of you may remember my post about Quantum Mechanix selling BSG Character Dog Tags for USD$49.95 (see post HERE). I ordered the Chief Tyrol dog tags and they arrived yesterday.

The first photo is of Chief Tyrol’s dog tags. Aaron brought them with him to the WOLF G1 con (October 2005) and let me wear them for the weekend. While I had them, I took a photo of them. The second photo is what I received from Quantum Mechanix.

The serial number is completely different.
I emailed them to ask what was going on and the director of Quantum Mechanix replied …

we requested and were supplied by the studio an official list of character dog tag data, including serial numbers. All our replicas are based on that information, as it’s the only studio-approved content that exists. Your Tyrol dog tag set was based on that information.

So it’s not their fault the serial number is wrong because it was the info they were sent by the Studio. But is it wrong? Maybe they made new dog tags for the Chief with the correct “G. Tyrol” listing and changed the serial number. I’ve asked Aaron to double check the Chief’s dog tags for me. He’s not at work this week but he will check them for me next week when he’s back at work. I’ll let you know once I hear back from him.

Oh, and ignore that it says “C. Tyrol” on Aaron’s dog tags. These dog tags were made before it was revealed on the show that the Chief’s first name was Galen. It’s not the only stuff up, Helo’s dog tags read “J. Helo”. I guess that’s before they decided his first name was Karl. And technically it should read “K. Agathon” not his call sign.

You can comment on this news over on THE CHIEF’S DECK.

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UPDATE (October 30, 2007): Aaron has confirmed that the serial number on Chief Tyrol’s Dog Tags is 409185.
Chief Tyrol Dog Tags – Serial Number (Update)

The below is a copy & paste From the QMx Insider Issue 2.1 email newsletter…

Battlestar Galactica Personalized Artisan Dog Tags: Now with character names

In Battlestar Galactica news: A number of customers have written us and asked if their custom-engraved Artisan Dog Tags can have character names on them instead of selecting a unique name. The answer is, “Yes!”

If you’d prefer the name of a Battlestar Galactica character on your dog tags, please note that with your order. Character dog tags have the following restrictions:

-They must have that character’s serial number on them, which means your serial number will not be unique.
-The character in question must be a member of the Colonial military, and we must be able to confirm an accurate serial number for that character. Sorry, Gaius, no dog tags for you!

We have confirmed serial numbers for following characters: Starbuck, Apollo, Helo, Admiral Adama, Chief Tyrol, Athena, Admiral Cain and Saul Tigh.

Because this is a made-to-order product, please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery.

Price: USD $49.95
Shipping: 4-6 weeks

Source: Quantum Mechanix Inc

I found a set of 7 BSG Dog Tags for sale on ebay for USD $104.95. The Dog Tags are for Admiral Adama, Apollo, Starbuck, Tigh, Helo and Tyrol. They’ve blurred out the photo of one of the people because they say it’s a “season 3 spoiler”. But it looks like it’s Sharon. The item description for the ebay listing says “The items are in preorder status right now. The dog tags are scheduled to ship to us by late December/early January”. The link for the ebay listing is http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230058517273 but because the auction has ended the link might not be up for too much longer. But I saved the photo advertisement which you can view below. On the advertisement it says that the individual Dog Tags will be USD $14.99.

The dog tags are made by Quantum Mechanix. On their website (http://www.quantummechanix.com) if you click on Battlestar Galactica it reads ….

From one of the hottest shows on television, comes this incredible line of collectibles! Imagine an entire line of replicas, ranging from surprisingly affordable character dog tags and officer pin sets, to high-end recreations of space fighters, dioramas, and filming sets! Well, you don’t have to imagine any longer … QMX will be bringing these items to reality. And everything is replicated directly from original resource material. No guesswork here … all absolutely authentic and fully-licensed by Universal. COMING SOON.