totenkopf ring...authentic? *updated with photos*

von_epp · Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

Hi all,

I'm new to the board (though long time collector), and thought someone might be able to help me with a situation involving a Totenkopf ring.

I know a person who has a Totenkopf ring. The owner is German and her uncle was a jeweler. According to her, the story goes that her uncle worked on making the Totenkopf rings and at some point swiped a ring. I have found that all the rings were commissioned from a company in Munich called Gahr; can someone confirm or dis-confirm this? She says that it was used for molding the other rings, the specifics of which I'm not sure. I don't know if it was a test run, or if it was a master, or what. My knowledge of jewelry is rather limited, but I do know that modern processes are to design a ring, make a casting, and then replicate. Where this ring fits into that process, if that's even what they did, I don't know exactly.

The ring has no engraving on the interior, only a silver proof stamp of 900. The lack of engraving would make sense if this is genuinely what the story says it is, though I've done some research and found that genuine issued Totenkopf rings are said to have never received a silver proof stamp. Perhaps because it was used in the factory it was stamped?

Obviously this ring has a strange history if genuine, and it isn't terribly easy finding information on these things...most Google searches simply come up with replicas for sale. Can anyone help shed some light on this situation? I've attached links to photos of the ring below.

Thanks for any help someone can give!

--Phil.

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk75/von_epp_german/ring_9.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk75/von_epp_german/ring_8.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk75/von_epp_german/ring_7.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk75/von_epp_german/ring_6.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk75/von_epp_german/ring_5.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk75/von_epp_german/ring_4.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk75/von_epp_german/ring_3.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk75/von_epp_german/ring_2.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk75/von_epp_german/ring_1.jpg

Dave · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 70

Hello as you have heard befor . Buy the piece not the story. I will start with the silver stamp it shuoldnt have one. The ring itself has a bad cast to it. If I am not mistaken the skull should be a seperate piece? I believe this one is a Letivian . There should be a seam under the skull were the ring was put together. I wouldnt risk being shot .Just to still a ring. I have been wrong befor. Best regards David Guist.

Combat Relics · Joined: 14 Jul 2007 Posts: 161

Seems there is a definite story to this one. Why would the uncle steal?

If this guy was so desperate to get silver a few marks worth at most are in a ring, my estimate would be 2 marks. There is little question that the amount of silver seems tiny, however estimating the exact cost and consumption of any precious materials, is a well worn science to the bean counters of any German manufacturer. 1/2 ounce of ring silver does not evaporate in a small shop. It is likely that even this small theft would show up as a glitch, to the person who notes this seemingly trivial data.

Certainly, as a paid employee of the SS, (through the jewelry firm) he would have no misconception of the fate that would await him for insulting the honor of the entire SS Officer Elite.

Finally the concept of national pride. This jeweler worked at Gahr. Jewelers are fine craftsmen and the pecking order could be fierce to get a position at the gold shop of Otto Gahr.

A seam of solder joining the ends of the band, under the spot where the skull was added, is an absolute feature on all legitimate SS Honor Rings.

This has none, so....

Rusty55 · Joined: 16 Jul 2007 Posts: 9

There is an article about these rings in the Blog for March 5th.

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