DDR's men's Rings

[ehrentitle]

The ring is based on the 1963-1985 III Class Klassifizierungsabzeichen für Panzerfahrer. Here is an example from my collection:

[Knuckles930]

Maybe one of those was used as a mould and turned into a ring. Although
I like the example, I don't think its an original one.

[Gaspare]

A few years ago on GDC we had photos of the DDR Honor ring., also a translation and good description of ring of what is on it.. There were only a few made.
I have a grouping with a Pz shooting cord, a Pz scarf , scarf ring and more. The scarf ring looks just like the Klassifizierungsabzeichen für Panzerfahrer shown above,,and very well might have been made from one but if so it's a beautiful job. anyway, the family described it as the neck ring for the scarf and the man also wore it a couple times as a ring..
Wolfs ring is a finger ring and not made from something else. Time period difficult,,so maybe from late DDR times or a current made piece for remembrance,,either way its a nice ring,,good catch.......

[ehrentitle]

I've been sick as a dog since Wed and was only able to come up for air for a brief moment yesterday to post the photo of the badge above.

My initial impression of this ring is that is very reminiscent of the SS Honor Rings from WWII. It is also in immaculate, unworn condition. I've seen many Sterling and Gold military rings from WWII and Korea over the years and often the insignia is so well worn that it difficult to make out. If it were of the period, and especially if it were worn by a tanker, it would have shown patterns of honest wear on the top and sides of the ring.

There is also the nagging issue that this ring has never been mentioned by the leading experts of DDR insignia, Bartel or Feder. It's so unique that I'm sure it would merit at least passing mention in their extensive writings over the years.

So my gut feel is that this ring was made post 1990 by some enterprising individual for the veterans or collector's market. However with DDR militaria, never say never.

[ehrentitle]

I should also mention that this ring was almost certainly made using an original Klassifizierungsabzeichen für Panzerfahrer as a pattern to form the mold. The dotted background to the right of the tank, in the roman numeral III and in the state seal was a means to better hold the original red and black enamel on the badge. The enamel would have been stripped of the original badge to make this mold, perhaps to give more depth to the design.

It's also interesting that the area around the to and bottom oak leaves on the "wings" of this badge have been cut away to show only the oak leaf pattern. A triangle of metal at the end of each oak leaf wing has been cut off to make a straight edge were the two sides can be united together at the back of the ring. This joint has been done rather crudely, not something you would expect if a jeweler crafted the ring.

[eastgermansks]

I agree with Kevin too. I am no expert in rare DDR items but the fact that it has a III on the face of it makes me doubt it. Why a III? There must be a II and a I edition of the ring too then. Or...it could be a reworked qualification badge.

-Luke

[Knuckles930]

Good explanation Kevin. And with the III. Why would they had
made multiple classes? DDR rings in general are rare. Than
certainly if there where types like these in multiple classes that
would make these much less rare.

But just to note, I do like the item. Just not sure if its an original one.

[Wolf100]

Thanks guys, there was surely another mold used. On the Qualifikationbadge, there are pebbles on the sidearms. On my ring, at these places, there aren´t. There are pebbles just on the frontplate. Also the sidearmas are smaller then on the Qualibadge. Here are pics of Gaspare´s neckring and the scarf it came together, with his permission. The neckring is differnt to mine. It is bogger and its sidearms are not so small and rounded like on my ring.My ring was mint and unworn!

[AR-11]

Gentlemen,
I totally agree with Kevin. There were, as far as I know, no official rings.
Those as shown at the pics were definitively made of a Qualispange. Maybe a few tank-soldiers had a great idea to made those rings as a souvenir for their time in the army.
Officially there were no NVA-rings, no tradition with rings as in the Britsh or US-army...

AR-11

[Wolf100]

Of course, they were not officialy given rings. They were more like the privat purchased kantinen rings of the third reich. But, as stated before, another dye was used then it was for the Quali spange. The sides look different.

[ehrentitle]

Of course, they were not officialy given rings. They were more like the privat purchased kantinen rings of the third reich. But, as stated before, another dye was used then it was for the Quali spange. The sides look different.

Unless there is some conclusive evidence that this silver ring came from an NVA soldier I'd be highly skeptical that this is an original pre-1990 item. It's more likely that this was made for the post unification collector's market.

The "scarf ring" in post #38 appears to be an original Klassifizierungsabzeichen für Panzerfahrer I Class which simply has had the "wings" on each side bent into a ring form.

[AR-11]

Unless there is some conclusive evidence that this silver ring came from an NVA soldier I'd be highly skeptical that this is an original pre-1990 item. It's more likely that this was made for the post unification collector's market.

The "scarf ring" in post #38 appears to be an original Klassifizierungsabzeichen für Panzerfahrer I Class which simply has had the "wings" on each side bent into a ring form.

Kevin,
I 100% agree with you.

AR-11,Dirk

[Dag]

Thanks guys, there was surely another mold used. On the Qualifikationbadge, there are pebbles on the sidearms. On my ring, at these places, there aren´t. There are pebbles just on the frontplate. Also the sidearmas are smaller then on the Qualibadge. Here are pics of Gaspare´s neckring and the scarf it came together, with his permission. The neckring is differnt to mine. It is bogger and its sidearms are not so small and rounded like on my ring.My ring was mint and unworn!

This so-called scarf-ring I had myself, and may still have it somewhere. You needed your own (or a surplus) Klassifizierungsabzeichen/Qualispange, and depending on preference, the edge of a table or the tubular frame of a chair , a hammer and about 5 minutes. After this time you had your very own 'ring'. You could not buy them and there was no trade within the barracks either. This was strictly a job the EKs did proudly themselves. With regards to the ring posted on the previous page: I'd say that a Klassifizierungsabzeichen tank driver class III was used. The reason why there are no pebbles is that the areas were probably removed (file). When you compare the shape of the acorns on the pic on top of this page with the third pic from @Wolf100, you will see parts of the full acorn missing. So, my guess: Someone either had an interesting hobby whilst in the army (there were all sorts of people with interesting hobbies) or someone jumped onto the band-waggon of the ultra-rare items.

[Gaspare]

Dag, "so-called scarf-ring I had myself, and may still have it somewhere."

Thanks so much for the first hand knowledge. 'Scarf ring' is what the families owner called it, and so I did too.
Inspecting it as for as mine your right it looks like a badge reworked. Thanks for the info..
As far as the ring, it could be a post 90s piece just made for remembrance of service time and the good [?] time that were had..
So far no more have turned up and could be a 'one off' custom piece. I guess time will tell..,G.
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