DAK Ring

[Alexhip]

Hello
Have no idea Where to post it.
Just a nice looking piece apart of where and how was it made.
Looks as it was there and was made there by local skillfull hands.
Bearing Arabic m.m. and "800" but note it isn't die struck - It's a separately made (type-setting)"800"

Good Luck.
Alex.

[Bill Gaynor]

Alex,
Where and how your ring was made, generally they were made by street jewelry vendors booths in Libya, Algeria, Tunisia during the occupation by Germans. Your type of ring would have probably been designed for an officer since of the work that went into it.
The rings start out being cast in silver from coins or other jewelry or scrap. Usually first the designs are carved in to the metal, then a process known as "rose gold" is applied, this is done with a mixture of gold and copper that is brassed on to the silver surface, usally the redder it is the more copper that is added. Makes for a nice look but minimal use of the gold.
The last step is a process known as " niello" the black finish on the ring which is a mix of copper, sulphur, silver and lead inlayed on the engraved metal.
This process was started by the Egyptians long ago for metal decoration.
You have a nice looking ring, very little wear.
Bill

[wh014d4394]

you have a very nice ring there.heres my baby,the top one.the bottam one i sold to a guy in the USA.i put the top one for sale.and some guy from the USA.said it was fake because it had T 800 stamp.HA HA

[fugpaw]

Not that I'm questioning that it's original, but there are artisans still fashioning rings like this in North Africa; about 9/10 years ago I was travelling around Morrocco and Algeria and found various artisans making "WW2" rings. For me, many of these without accurate provenance are open to question - shoot me down at your will

Mike

[mott-the hoople]

Hi Alex, I have just read your thread and am amazed! I have had a silver panzer assault badge in my collection for over 20 years that i had always considered a fake until now. It has the same T800 stamp and shield stamp on the back It is rather crudely cast so always thought it was wrong but now realise that it must have been theatre made in Afrika for the Afrika Corps. What a wonderful forum!! Cheers Jack

[fugpaw]

Hi Alex, I have just read your thread and am amazed! I have had a silver panzer assault badge in my collection for over 20 years that i had always considered a fake until now. It has the same T800 stamp and shield stamp on the back It is rather crudely cast so always thought it was wrong but now realise that it must have been theatre made in Afrika for the Afrika Corps. What a wonderful forum!! Cheers Jack

The T800 stamp means nothing, anyone with the ability and stamp can put a T800 or "800" or any other stamp on anything that resembles silver or any other metal. The "T800" stamp only indicates that it might be period - I for one do not trust stamps like this, yes it's a good indication - but not proof of authenticity.

I've dealt with "ethnic arms and armour" for many years and have seen many items stamped with so called "original" stamps, like the T800, but they are so easily faked/re-produced - so without explicit provenance I don't trust them.

Your's a very big cynic,

Mike

[Alexhip]

@ Bill. Thanks for the lesson.
@ Mike. Thanks for Your input too. In general I don't care even it's a modern piece bearing a lot time traces on it.
I've just hadn't able to let it go...

Thanks all for the interest.
Good Luck.
Alex.

PS: I picked it up from the group c/o LW officer had been in service there, there were a lot of stuff including the Blue "Afrika" wire embroidered GT ( I didn't like it )

[fugpaw]

Alex, despite my comments - if it was mine - I would keep it - it's a very interesting piece, very nice ring (what the hell where it came from - nice ring!).

Mike

[Alexhip]

Alex, despite my comments - if it was mine - I would keep it - it's a very interesting piece, very nice ring (what the hell where it came from - nice ring!).

Mike

for sure, I will.
Thanks.

[Perry Floyd]

The majority of DAK rings I see today are the crude "stick figure" type where as mentioned the designs are carved into the ring. But there are high quality ones that were made where the designs are very detailed. I have handled two like this. One was in a FJ grouping and another was from a vet buy here in NC. Both were very well made and very attractive.