SS Ring or Not

[sunbury]

Bought this ring at a recent estate auction. Now I'm wondering if it could be an SS ring. It's made of brass. The nickel-plating is gone excpt for the skull area. There's no inscription inside. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[sunbury]

Here's another photo of the ring.

[sunbury]

... here's a clearer photo.

[Robin Lumsden]

That's a nice original commercial death's head ring. They could be bought on the open market by anyone during the Third Reich but were particularly popular with SS, tank crews etc. In the book 'With Our Backs to Berlin' by Tony LeTissier, there's a memoir from a former Hitler Youth anti-aircraft gunner who served in the Zoo Flak Bunker in April 1945. He refers to these rings being 'all the rage' with Hitler Youths at the time. He was wearing one during the fighting. The one you have is identical to one in the Stirling Castle Museum, labelled as having been taken from a German soldier in Italy. There's also a photo of an SS NCO in the French book 'Les Coiffures Militaires du Troisieme Reich' by Richard de Filippi, which clearly shows the NCO wearing a skull ring with the shank like yours. I have one as well, in silvered bronze, with the skull held on by a single rivet. Hope this helps.

[sunbury]

Robin:

Thanks so much for your terrific comments. I will continue my research ... you've been very helpful. Nice to have input like yours.

Sunbury

[Robin Lumsden]

Robin:

Thanks so much for your terrific comments. I will continue my research ... you've been very helpful. Nice to have input like yours.

Sunbury

Sunbury.

It's nice to have positive feedback like this.

Makes a change.

[BadBob]

Thanks here too, Robin. I have the Fillipi book but hadn't noticed the ring in the photo......Here is a similar two piece ring I've just received.

[Robin Lumsden]

Thanks here too, Robin. I have the Fillipi book but hadn't noticed the ring in the photo......Here is a similar two piece ring I've just received.

Very nice, and in excellent condition too.

[Jean-Loup]

How about this one. I know the quality of the pictue is very bad, but did they make them in this type of metal? Also, what are the chances of it being italian?
JL

[Robin Lumsden]

That one looks OK as well. There were a range of these rings, in brass, silver nickel, bronze etc.

[Jean-Loup]

Thanks for the reply. With the provenance of this one, I am pretty shure its good. I love WW2 rings!
JL