SS Totenkopf Ring - Good or Crud?

[TobyR]

Hi Everybody,

I was offered this at the weekend. I've never handled a genuine one and only have a small amount of literature about them (Patzwall's book is in German too, which doesn't help).

I'm not sure about the skull, and the seller told me that it had been turned down in the past because of this (surprisingly honest!). He pointed out the seam behind the skull as a good point (though I'm not sure about this) and also the seam running horizontally where the top and bottom of the skull joins the ring.

Another concern - there are quite a few small holes along the outside edges of the ring as well as to the detail. Would this be an indication of casting? Or, is it wear? The ring is (supposedly) from 1934. If so, that would make it from the first year of bestowal. I read somewhere that most fakes have war-time dates. Is this the case?

I'm afraid I don't have the weight: I didn't have my scales with me.

Also, though it is of little consequence at this stage, the ring comes with a card (letter), from a high ranking SS officer, addressed to a woman with the same last name as the ring's recipient.

Anyway, here are some photos.

Thanks for looking.

All the best,
Toby.

[TobyR]

and the next:

[TobyR]

And another:

[TobyR]

And the inscription:

[TobyR]

And again:

[TobyR]

And another photo:

[Gary Wood]

Toby,
i am sorry do not know a great deal about rings, but it does look to me to be a casting,

try this link which is dedicated to the honour ring,
cheers,
Gary

http://daggers.infopop.net/2/OpenTop...73&f=074097573

[DaveJ]

does not look like any real ones I have seen, The expression on the skull is the same one you get after you show it to Don Boyle,
Dave

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Toby, the ring that you posted pics of is certainly bad. I have never seen a toothless skull before!
The ring shows all the hallmarks of being a casting, what with all the pock marks, especially to the inside.
There were two versions of the SS Honour ring. One made in the 30's and the other in the 40's. Both are reproduced.
Hope this answers some of your questions?
Cheers, Ade.

[TobyR]

Thanks to you all for taking the time to comment. I suspected as much but its always good to get the thoughts of those more knowledgeable.

Much appreciated.

All the best,
Toby.

[merdock]

Hi,
Iv'e seen this one before it was offererd to me in a pub car park ,i just walked away as the story with it was total crap as well.
Merdock

[Pieter Verbruggen]

Looks like a ghost...and is one to....
Pieter.

[TobyR]

And here's the icing on the cake. The seller has since sent me the following information:

Name: Max Muller
SS Rank: Obersturmfuhrer (Lieutenant)
SS Number: 37612
NSDAP Party Number: 916054
Ring presented: 20/4/34
Ring Number: 2657
Unit: 1st Motor staff
Regt: Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler (LAH)
Weight: 8 grammes
Internal ring diameter: 19mm

Why you all think it is a fake, I don't know

One thing is for certain, he has a good imagination.

All the best,
Toby.

[Eric K.]

Hey im pretty new here so pardon my stupidity but my uncle has a ring that looks similar to this one but it is an original given to him during the war im just starting to go thru all his stuff he was in "Das Reich" and "wiking" division

[Tony Barto]

Flieger;

Welcome aboard! Please post pix of some of his items for us if you will.