While looking through the forum i realized we still did`t have a own topic for private purchase skull rings.
So here we have.
Please dig your rings out and feed this thread so we will get a nice kind of database for this real widespread stuff.

Ok let's start with this ... brass family

That`s a real worthy starting pic!
5 different and well known patterns of private purchase skulls.
Wow Piotr!

Will drop some more later if time permits. Thanks Goetz.

Oh, the community has to thank you!

I have found two more pictures pictures of skulls.

Perfect!
Nearly all band variant of the "riveted skull".
Stunning!

And this snake pieces. Let other guys make their homework :-).

That's my friend Piotr! Nice variety of "pirate" riveted skulls, lots of wash left on those- I believe I own your deep brassy one Piotr along with one of Gaspare's beautiful originals- will post in a bit.

Pirate/riveted skulls

Very impressive and hard to beat friends!
It seems you both love the skulls.
But i bet some more "skull lovers" are around here and i am
real excited to see more of this stuff.

Your skulls with rivet.
On how much rings the rivet is inside visible?

Yes "skull lover" this is my second name :-).

Middle row, far right- I have always loved that piece, piotr! As far as rivets- the silver skull on the left (my pic) was Gaspare's - rivet is covered over/not visible. The brassy one on the right was yours, piotr. I don't recall if the rivet was visible or not- and am not near my rings to check- do you remember if it's visible or not, piotr?

By me 4 to 1. Four rings with rivets uncovered and one with covered rivet. Mike I do not recall if Your was with visible rivet - sorry.

Ah I remember it now, rivet not visible.

This is so cool...

So for me it seems so that at one time during producing this skull with rivet the covering of the rivet was stopped.

During my ring journey I had once this pattern with soldered skull head. It was a dug found ring. I know it for sure because it felled and was soldered again. There was no rivet.

Mmmh.
Maybe over the years the process of manufacturing was simplified.
Only that what i am guessing.

What`s up guys?
No more other skull rings around for showing?
I can`t believe it
There are so much different patterns.
Skull with rivet, Westwall/Westfront skulls, skulls with crossbones, with flowers, with open work bands, memento mori rings, tank thread patterns and and and.
So don`t be shy, show your rings and let this thread grow.

This is my favorite skull pattern... your braid band version is the most beautiful I've ever seen, Odal, maybe you could show it here?
Mark

Very nice and old pattern.
One of my favorites too. The classic so called "tank thread"
because of its band.

Of course i will show some of my rings too, but a little later.
So please patience.

Yes, please show your Tank Tread example with the braided band, when you can get around to it. LOVE that ring! Most beautiful of them all, in my opinion..but that's taste! :-)
I dang hald schee,
Mark

Various tanks and other banded skulls in that category.

Very nice, Mike. I particularly like the rather rare example with the braided, Scandinavian-type band. My all-time favorite.

Couple more, a few more later...

Really nice pieces Mike. I see there is still a lot to find...

It can go on forever... I am primarily a pp skull collector, novice level...I'd guess I have around 30 different ones, but no where near where I want to be. Here's a few more, can't get to the rest for a while. Anyone have some others to post?

Some real nice rings there
Thanks for sharing here with us.

I am sure nearly every ring collector here has some skulls.
So let them come.

hi mike
members here holly molly i thought i had a few skull rings but you guys are putting me to shame odel you have some great lookers gottlieb you have a few show stopers all so the rest of you guys have some killer skull rings please give me a few days and i will ask mike to post them for me hey guys thanks for showing us those killer skull rings god bless andy militarynut

Can`t await yours Andy!

One of mine.
A very nice Westwall skull. Enjoy it
And thanks to my old friend Andy the Military nut!

I like it- never seen that pattern before

Chunky ring.
2 piece, skull hollow and soldered on.
Not so often seen.

Wow yeah this must be a rare pattern... I've seen it on the forums, but rarely.. was probably the very same ring!

A few months ago I just wanted one, now I have one for each finger...whoops

You have only one hand?

Ok, now without any jokes.
Impressive Little Collection.
Congrats!

Haha I noticed that right after I posted it. I have skull rings for one hand, other WW2 rings for 4 fingers, an SS ring would give me one for each finger
Lol.

,,
Hope this counts.. This is the 1st pattern 'Skull over Runes'..one of my favorites..........

Amazing

What question.
A killer ring with a skull!
Of course this counts lol
Thanks for sharing!

I will follow the path of Gaspare :-).

Skull & SS together.

By the way thanks to this thread I realized how many rings I have to find.

Hey
Ring with skull is a skull ring.
And i am to 100 % sure there are
a lot different patterns with a skull out .

Love the first pattern skull runes G...that would complete the pair for me, my second pattern is also one of my favorites (actually number 2 next to my sshr)....

Some really nice rings guys , thanks for posting them .

a larger pic of a pattern we still have here:

and a wonderfull example of a Westfront skull:

One more scythe and sand watch example.

Stars, hourglass and scythe are the typical elements for memento mori rings.
Not real military related, but of course often worn by soldiers in WWI and WWII.

Very beautiful, this.

I'm not a huge fan of those westwall and west front skulls- I know Gaspare doesn't like the patterns, here's my concern: so very many repros.... and to be honest, I'm very concerned about the appearance of the skulls- they are really realistic, something not usually found with almost "cartoonish" looking originals in nearly every other pattern... why if these (early?) pieces have such detailed and accurate skulls, does the ss honor ring have such amateurish looking ones by comparison? They almost look to me like modern cast "biker" pieces. I'm not doubting the authenticity, I'd love to see one in wear- but I just can't get into these, it's just an odd chord to me in the line of skull art and development. Just my 2p guys, not a tear down of anyone's rings- everyone has their own preferences and favorites!

Don't worry about this Westwall/Westfront skulls.
They are a period pattern but heavily faked. The shown one is a textbook example and will be in a hopefully soon coming book.

I understand Mike but as odal said do not worry about this WestWall rings. This one is one of my favorite too.

Getting back to braid band version here is mine with almost 100% gilting.

Very nice Tank Tread example...

A "one looker".

Well like I said guys it's not for me a question of authenticity- I've seen the pattern in period ads, it's just preference and I don't care for it- and yes... way way too many fakes, I would guess it's in the top 5 most prolific repros...it's just not in my top wants list. (Mine begins with Skull & runes 1st pattern!) but speaking of the "braid band" or "tank tread" pattern - it's an early ring too- 1920s? So I saw this online and I have to post it- (note: we are still on topic of pp skulls- don't mean to go sideways here..) check out this braid band pattern- imperial bicycle troops mit pikelhauben!! (Bad news for the guy in front if the guy behind him hits a rock and goes over the handlebars!)

So back to the skulls.
Again a Westwall skull; rather common.

What`s up guys?
No more skull rings out?

hi odel
i will try and put up my hoard of skull rings maybe thursday if possible a lot happning here sorry very busy . i didnt forget you have a great day god bless all andy militarynut

Hi Andy!
Take your time, but let them come

Untill Andy finds the time.
Again a Westwall "skull"

I've posted these before,,,but now they are in the right place!

more,,

I have about 100,,,most in a ring case,,some in their own original box...

Wow G.!
Some real beauties!
Thanks for posting here.
I think i know this first 4 ones

While hearing how much skulls you have i am sure this topic
will end in a very long thread.

Again a Westwall skull
Brass, silver plated, very good Details but hard to get all sharp on
pics because it is very 3dimensional.
A ring i have for long years, it is not often seen and i have
no knowledge about.
Maybe someone here knows more about this pattern

Is it hollow on the back? I asked gaspare bout these... maybe he can comment-

hi odel
you did it again another rare killer skull ring this one is something special dont see many of these around thanks very much for showing us guys here have a great day andy militarynut

Thanks Andy!

Yes Mike, backside hollow

Here are the ones Andy is selling....

Couple more..

Some very nice rings there Andy!
#1, 2, 8 and 9 my favorites.
Nice old ,real wear on them rings!

hi gaspare

mike thanks for posting my skull rings hope this e mail finds you gaspare and family safe from that big storm you just had in new york if this keeps up i will have to stay a while here in florida but any way glad it worked out that you finally had some good luck with storms. yes the skull i believe is number eight is real different that is the only good real period skull ring i bought at sos show last month hell there were more fake skull rings at the show and priced 300.00 and up for what newly made junk we only get what we pay for thanks again see you in another month god bless all andy militarynut

Oh yes.
Some real nice ones within and also some not so often seen ones too.

Got a Little luck these days.
Got a very nice 1931/1932-catalog....and, nearly unbelievable, 2 days later a perfect matching ring.
Silver 800, black Oxyde and the skull still with rest of the gilding.
Sorry the not so perfect pic.

Very nice! Like the ad too.

This is mine. Same model, found in the ground. These were sold from WW1 onwards, am I right?
The story goes mine is from the Eastern Front, so WW2 worn... yeah yeah, never buy the story, I agree. Would be noce to know when mine was sold, though.

hi gaspare
didnt realize you had so many skull rings some real beautys here i will have to check you out when i get back north i personily like the worn ones they seem to tell the war time story gee if they could only talk where they have been and done that look thanks very much for showing us guys here we appreciate belonging to the greatest ring forum on the whole net keep them comeing god bless all andy militarynut

Nearly 1000 hits is worth an other skull:

and still an other:

This one is pretty cool...

I have the exact same one, maybe not as nice condition (split band) but also a rest of gilding. Allegedly a ground found ring from the Eastern Front.
As I understand it, thisring was produced from 1.WK (WW1) till about 1945? Am wondering when mine was made, but if it was found in the Kessel it was probably worn by a German Soldier in WW2...

As you see, these rings were sold in this 31/32 catalog, but vor sure still long years ago and years later.

Yes... hard to say when exactly, I remember someone saying how these Tank Treads were already sold in WW1...

I think so too, but i have no wwI period catalog and in the newspapers i have from this time i found no hints of skull rings.
Nevertheless i think they were sold in wwI period too.

I think there is even a WW1 picture with this ring... but not sure... or is it some Russian?

No one more here that wants to show his skull/skulls?
Unbelievable, this forum is full with real nice ones

After a while of searching ....found a period WWI advert for this skull pattern:

and an interesting website to this very chunky Westwall skull

Looks like it does/did have stones in the eyes (?) nice skull- I really like it.

,,,, More skulls,,
This is a old case I've hd a very long time.

I have these,,the others I posted previously,,about 5 that are cased/boxed , and 5 more that are part of groupings..

taking some reshoots so here's some more for the topic!

This is a common ring. But,,not in this condition. They are usually bare metal, little or none plating left. This is near mint,,little or really no lifting to the plating..

some years ago there was a small hoard of these 'Gorilla Skull' rings found from a reliable source.. A few of us were very lucky at the time to get one for our collection!

,,around 1999 I went to visit my wifes cousins dig in Ukraine.. I've dug a few times and had never found so much as a button!
Then while breaking up a clod of dirt was this beauty.. Very fragile, thin, not much left of it..

Thats lots of skulls!
And some real nice ones within.
Especially i remember this Gorilla heads some years ago.
Still have one or 2 of them

YES! And now we know they're at least up to 100 years old, or can be. Might have been worn in WW! AND/or WW2...Found in Kurland Kessel (allegedely), it was probably worn by a Landser.

Love the chunkiness. Don't like the shape of the skull too much... unless the German is thinking of wearing the head of a Mongolian on his finger...but hey that's taste, please don't let it spoil your enjoyment of the ring. And like I said: the chunkier, the cooler in a way...

Wow that Tank Tread is in MINT condition?! :-o

That poor little "panzer skull"( sometimes w flowers/poppies on shank I believe..) doesn't seem
To get a seat!!! G if it needs a place to sit, I'm sure I can make a ring seat available for it lol! Very nice selection of rings there- lots of interesting variations and patterns

Untill some other rings come out i will show one that isn`t so often seen.

Looks like a joker

wow almost looks like its that last ring I posted [Dug]!!

That's a nice one I have it's brother somewhere- will
Post a pix

Here is my Joker (the one on the left)


Ado

And the one on the right is same example as the one dug out by Gaspare i believe.
Mine is marked alpacca

Here's mine..

Exactly! The Joker says Hi, quite different from the one on the right (which reminds me of the X-wife...)

That's it, this one's cool...

And i thought this is a not so often seen pattern

I think we might have a good percentage of them right here lol

Fine!
Good to see this thread growing.

Okay, let me try again.
A real not so common one:

Oh man odal I love that ring... if u ever EVER wish to part with it- man! It would have a good home here!! Outstanding! Enamel? And the eyes- what material? Red enamel or something else?

Black and red are both enamel.

VERY nice, odal!!!

Nobody here that owns a ring of this pattern?
Maybe in better condition.
Or someone that has seen one?

An other "pirate"!
Like to hear opinions about

Beauty, how about inside pic?

Sorry, bad light, not so good camera and dirt in

Love it

This is really cool... where does it come from? Never ever sen this one before anywhere else...

I love it... looks early. 30s? Is it freikorps related?

Come from Poland / Made in Poland (just kidding).

No bad mouthing the birthplace of paçzi. Not this close to Easter anyway ... I mean I would guess it certainly German... or (?)

In my opinion, yes

Can we see the back of 11? Are the snakes hollow as well as the skull?

I just got this tagged guy today!

Sorry.
Which one?

The pic of your last ring is a little small.
Would like to see this beauty better

This is quite a nice one. One of the nicer types...

Nice piece!

An other rather uncommon skull.
Brass and silver plated.
Would like to hear some opinions.

really enjoying your rings Odal. A wonderful collection and case of skulls.

Thanks, but I think you speak about G`s skulls

While getting more than 2000! views here i think it`s time for an other pic.
Pattern exists with glas-eyes too.

Ugly fellow, isn't he... (but super nice ring!)

agreed

Fore more movement in this thread.
Again a not so common ring.
It has black eyes, the green is oxydation.

Wow that looks CRAZY but very NICE RING!!! the oxidation is interesting- crusty eyes, yes-but the green tells me there's copper present?

Yes, seems like there is a part of copper in thes silver alloy.

I love it, nice piece odal!

A variant of a pattern i think it is still somewhere in this thread:

Great pix- I've got a cast fake based on that pattern for sale on the bazaar table- if anyone wants an expensive pattern for 1/10 the price- please pm!

Compare with the cast copy--- again, for sale (cheap!). (And very nice original there, odal!)

Mike,,that hurts my eyes!!!


One of mine,,, separate skull,,side band embellishments hand done..

,,,,

,,,,

I love that skull G- maybe in another lifetime, eh? Yes the repro is a repro-
But it's a big size!!! And a nice wearer!! For a fraction of the price, why not? As long as you know what it is and don't try to pretend it's something it isn't- (I'm not) then with all the members here who LIKE TO WEAR their rings... this is a GREAT option! And it's for sale too- so first one takes it home! (It's for you wearers out there- this is a much safer option than your originals for daily use!)

This last ring, G..
How is this skull affixed?
What`s the meaning of this hole backside the skull?
Thanks

Only reason for hole is for security - to avoid explosion when ring is soldered second time. First - hollow skull is soldered on flat band, second - when ring is bent in circle and soldered.

That's really interesting, hap- I thought it was a rivet.

Yes, very interesting.
Thanks Rich.
We learn every day.

- you got it Hap!

Yes guys , kind of like the tiny hole you'll see on the Italian made DAK rings..

ok, no more ugly repro skull rings Mike

, lets get some more PP skulls up here!

I am a little disappointed because that there is no more movement here
There are so much different patterns of period skulls and i know some members here have one or two.
So please show them.
Here a pattern we still havn`t here:

and

Here's a couple- I have a worn version of the first one- middle bottom row. My pirate/rivets above- far right top is a new piece for me. Thick and chunky. Early piece, I would imagine..

Some nice skulls

Here's a new one- hollow skull, really well done join, stamp nicely visible- not sure I can identify the "lozenge" stamp with an "E" and a star, or something like it... regardless- a pattern I very much wanted for a long time!!

See it only on mobile.
Looks like "F*", Frey company.

Oh my word how did I miss that. Going to have another cup of coffee LOL.

My favorite pattern.. best of my knowledge anywhere between WW1 and 1945.

Odal,,that 2nd skull you show,,solid back yes.. Very old pattern, very hard to find in good condition..

Mark,,yes those wide band skulls are old patterns. Friekorps throughout WW2. Many have the slant pattern design on the band like this ad,,and commomly called 'tank tread pattern skull. The smooth band like Mikes also becoming hard to find,,,hell,,,everything authentic is hard to find now!

I've got 3 like this

Mike, I have one identical to the one you show here! Same mark too I believe

Thats a feat of collecting, 3! Outstanding, Lore!

Just picked up this beauty from waf estand
My second of this exact pattern I really like them

a Little "grinner"

Lol it sure is

Hi Folks,

This is a picture of most of my skull rings. It's an older photo so it is missing a couple of more recent additions. Sadly, I lost one of these a week ago. I was wearing it and my finger must have shrunk in the cold outside at night watching the World Cup final. It fell off somewhere. The few beers under my belt probably didn't help either. Maybe it will turn up, Swiss people generally being honest. Even more ironic, I don't even like football!

Cheers,

Stephen

Wow! Some real nice pieces in there Stephen, thank you for sharing! I have a real weakness for a nice skull so I see some rarer patterns and a tagged skull is the gold standard in quality and condition! So which one was lost? We can keep an eye out for it!

What a great collection! You have a couple very interesting patterns there..

Do you clean them, ,or polish them?.. And, how do you keep them? in a case for rings? or something home made or??


IF you can,,when ever you have the time maybe you could show these 2 rings with the red arrow....., thanks..

Gaspare that one on the right looks familiar pattern. Did we see one like that before?

with red arrow? yes,,think I've seen before or have.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the praise, I appreciate that. I have been collecting rings for years and it took some time... and some pain while learning. The one I lost is second back row, far right. It's small ring, probably for a pinky... although clearly too big for my pinky!

Best regards,

Stephen

Thanks, Gaspare. I am quite proud of my collection. When I started about ten years ago, I did clean a couple of them too 'enthusiastically' (for example, the big HJ Leiters ring that we discussed recently) but learned not to do that - My dealer friend yelled at me for cleaning them! Nowadays, I tend to just give them a light rub with a silver polish cloth to protect them from tarnishing.

Apart from a couple of skulls that I wear, I keep the rings in glass-fronted display cases. And I do display them on my bookshelf, sometimes much to puzzlement of friends

The picture here shows about half of my collection, including all of the skulls.

I will post pics of the two you asked about. Just need a bit of time.

Cheers,

Stephen

NEVER polish them... but now you know.. At the most I used a little warm water, mild dish soap, and old tooth brush... Dry very well and in the case..

A wonderful collection,,,very nice!! Congrats,,,its a lot of hard work I know....,G.

Hi Gaspare,

Here are the two rings you asked about. The grinning skull is obviously not silver. I have had it for years but have not seen another one like it. Interested in your thoughts, and those from others.

(Apologies for the orientation of the photos. This only happened when I uploaded them.)

Cheers,

Stephen

Here is the other ring. I like this ring. It was ground dug in SS Nord positions on the Mannerheim Line on the Finnish border. It was found with a metal detector and is quite pitted. It's a heavy ring for its small size. There is a maker stamp (RP) to outside of the shank, but no discernible silver mark.

Hope you like it. S

I had a pot metal one very similar to the first you show. Mine was I am about 99% certain just a toy ring or biker ring or premium ring. I believe I sold it in a bunch of toy skulls with some repro for not very much. Of course I am making no claims on your ring but mine was a very similar pattern. Second skull is interesting upon a closer look I think not the same as the one I have but still an interesting ring. I can not say I have seen one like it. I can see the RP. Is it an identifiable maker? Thanks for showing them!

yeah I agree with mike..1st skull although cool looking isn't very old. The 2nd is old! Maybe older than WW2, either Finn or German had that on!

Thanks, both. Appreciate your comments. I always wondered about that grinning skull myself. It wasn't expensive.

I cant help thinking that our friend, Goetz, would be pleased that this thread is still alive...

Without a doubt. I concur

-
2nd row from bottom,,,3rd ring in,,,, IS that a Gegen Englland ring with a brass alloy cartouche and silver band?!?! I've never seen anything like that before!! Do you think its a good one? Have you've done any comparisons with known straight all brass alloy rings?

Please,,when ever you have the time,,,no rush,.
IF you don't mind maybe you could start a separate topic on that one!! * IF authentic thats a real stunner you sure would have!!!

Ya that is an interesting ring I agree! I am also impressed with the Legion Condors, especially the two nearer the middle, never seen an oval cartouche one. Gorgeous! The ?wedding band? with luft insignia is interesting, and I love the DLV. That?s a beautiful early ring I think, really similar to the 30s deco SS enamels..Great condition on that!

Hi Gaspare,
The Gegen Engelland ring is silver in colour. I think the lighting in the photo you refer to wasn?t good so the cartouche looks like brass. I believe this ring is made of brass or a similar alloy with a silver wash. I will post better photos in a separate post.

Mike,
I will also post some photos of the Legion Condor rings. They are beauties and highlights of my collection. Also happy to post pictures of the other rings you mentioned. The DLV is indeed a beauty!

Cheers,

Stephen

Hi Stephen am excited to see your DLV for sure -no Hurry though. Is that a Kirkenes ring I see with the blue and white enamel? That is a wonderful ring too. I know our friend gotz had a nice one too, not a common thing!

Hi Mike,
I will post some pics of the DLV. It is a cracker! And, yes, that is a Kirkenes ring like the one Odal had. He really liked mine because it is in better condition than his. It is blue enamel and silver. Lovely ring.

Have not added many skulls lately, but here is another example of a smashed skull pattern I already have. It is wonderful to be able to find one of a given pattern- just great and even better to have 2 of the same to compare! This one has a nice 835 and Laurin mark, very well made- hollow skull, small size- and from the side crushing- seems to perhaps been worn on the left hand with a wedding band doing the most damage, or similar ring finger ring. Love this one has so much detail, my other is smashed in the mouth!

I think possibly early 20th century American or something else. Very light material, maybe a size 8-9, no markings- seller found it in Mexico looking just like this in the 1960s. Looks like the eyes may have held stones at one time. Whatever it is- I like the look!

Couple more shots

Mike,, you are absolutely right.. it is 20th cen. Call them what you will,,,'Mens rings' , Ice cream rings , Premium rings etc. I have a advert for this exact ring.

I strongly recommend 'Overstreets' book on Premium Rings. Probably very cheap used , $20 or so but very worth it. Shows all types including a couple swastika rings and a few of these skull types ,,,which were taken right from our collected German ring designs.. Happy hunting guys....

I strongly agree, reference books are key to collecting - lets get ours rolling !

Skullring: WW1, Freikorps? or Italian Black-shirts or??. ?

For a long time ago, I posted this ring in the forum. Maybe there is more info now.
Made of copper?.. it stays shiny ? maybe guilded .

Hi Benten! Thanks for posting it again! I have not seen one like this-
Looks like a brass alloy cast piece to me, but I could not take a guess on the era or nation of manufacture. Maybe someone else here knows?
Best
Mike

a brass alloy , [maybe plated] tiny test scratch inside will tell you,,,but from rear behind skull signs of cast,,also on end of cross bones, and fault on band. Band also on the thick side even if a small size. . There is a early 3rd reich multi piece [skull & band] silver authentic version. Thin skull, thin [called split band type] band, usually in a small or childrens size.. There was or used to be a photo of it here..

Mike, Gaspare, Thank you for your reply .

Today I Found on the fleamarket, only the front of a skullring ( better than nothing The ring itselfves is probably used for something else.
Does someone have a picture of a complete ring ?

Thanks in advance !

hi benton
yes skull is better then nothing it defenitly came from a ring thats for sure maybe gorilla face skull ring i dont know as far as the brass coated skull ring in my opinion i have to go along with gaspare most of this style skull rings were silvered but many years has passed probly all gone thank you for showing your tresures god bless have a nice day andy militarynut

Interesting find, Benten! Cannot say I have ever found just a head! My guess, and again, just my guess and opinion- it appears to be a separately cast, then attached, piece. I would bet it is at least inspired, if not altogether copied, from a kantine ring. I think, however, it is likely a USA or other nation made early to mid 20th century piece- to be made into a mens premium ring or the like. * Of course I would be remiss if I did not mention that the entirety of my education on mens premiums and their kind was revealed to me through my questions to and knowledgeable answers by our esteemed and notable guru of all things ring based in this category- gaspare. I dont want our guru to be butthurt when reading this, thinking I came about my knowledge independently. Every field has its Expert of Experts!*

hi mike
i remember back at i think the max or sos showc when you first showed the ss pimp your ss honor ring found in a pile of silver don the ss honor ring man found it real and certified it for you at that time the ss pimp and myself plus gaspar the ring garu seen how excited you was with joy that you continued to be top shelf at all third reich rings as far as bentens skull i think in my opinion it was a ring if you look carefully when benten is holding the skull back side on the right side looks like the shank of the ring was broken off who knows just another opinion plus its still a good find thanks benten god bless all andy militarynut

I am and have always been that guy. I love to learn, I am the first student in my own -the one i teach in that is- classroom. Everyone learns in my room especially me. I might be a bit wiser about how the hobby works though now too, but that is probably also to be expected. That being said- I have a ton to learn and always will. As soon as you think you know it all, youre done. I dont however think who I am matters one bit to anyone here. My personal life, my spending habits, my family business- it is not for a one to comment on. How much I spend on a piece for example is no ones concern except mine. How much I sell one for etc same thing. The true failure and tragedy of the hobby is the effect money, jealousy, and greed have had on what would otherwise be decent people. Is it really that funny, how a new guy comes in excited and ends up jaded? I dont think so- I think its sad. I think that has loads to do with why this hobby is dying. Just my 2p-
Best all
Mike

hi mike
sad to say but in my opinion you are right jeliousy/greed etc even when i had at one tiime 13 ss honor rings and may his soul rest in peace no names said on the forum where did you get so many ss honor rings i thought a bit and said easy i paid my hard earned dollars is this answer good enough to satisfi you no answer from him that stoped him next wise guy hey show me this items my reply was you might be talking to your father but not me i have allways met the chalange from wise guys jerks etc not in my world i have all ways called a spade a spade if you dont like it they sorry your not in my world mike it will work out go above these people the hobby is full of them last any one who asks me how much did you pay for it my answer is non of your damm bussiness whats the price have to with four tomatos ok mike have a great holiday god bless andy militarynut

Hello,

just sold by WAF e-stand......is it a known period pattern ? May be a "Memento Mori" ring than a military one ?

Ric

back view

silver content marking

Love it! A 'Split band' type.. Originally a pattern made early by some amateur silversmiths , small firms etc.. Looks period..

Then became a popular style for a time.. That looks professionally made. Nicely made, stamped content,,Very nice example. Harder and harder to find and good to see. someone got a nice piece!,, thanks for posting..

found a shot in my files.. There are others here too, a bit a searching maybe but usually a skull...
This one not as nice as Ric's...

Nice rings- forgot about those nice split band types. Early for sure

Thank you....G. and Mike

Here's another pic for future reference

Ric

The last one

That are nice rings ! I like the split-shape .



A long time ago I've posted this ring with split-shape . It is a very old memento mori .

benten

Very nice ring

These type are very unique and interesting, I would like to own more but only have one from the Rococo period and German made.Thanks for showing it again.

Hello everyone, I wanted to show you an infrequent ring with a skull
But I could not compress the photo, so I'll just throw off the number under which the ring is on evay.de
Who wants to look




eBay-Artikelnummer:
264971844522

Those hallmarks look worryingly good. I was always under the impression this pattern was part Memento Mori, part fantasy. Gaspare will enlighten.

This is an authentic ring from the Third Reich period
This skull ring design is well known

Correct, it is a old pattern.. I've seen a old [prewar] advert for it years ago advertising it as a 'Mourning Ring'..

The ring has been in continual production for probably 80 years! The one shown has the newer band,,and what some call the 3rd row of teeth! But this ring from the photos look new and has some faults to it.. I will try and get photos on..

if these rings have been in continuous production for 80 years, where are they?
This ring looks new because it is in excellent condition.
I saw rings with the third row of teeth dug and I am SURE NOT ONLY I

they are everywhere.. I took 5 sec. and found another on German eBay... IF you like them go right ahead and buy them..

My opinion,,band way too thick, too wide,,and not even polished.. Besides the fact it looks brand new.. But as I mentioned you like it go right ahead. But IF you wait,, I guarantee you one will come up a lot cheaper....

there are some with a slightly different band, 2 row teeth, nice thin band and full finish all around I would say are pre war , maybe even wartime but I do not collect this pattern.. But please, feel free to form your own opinion.

this is another,,5 sec on eBay....

IF you search I'm sure there are sites that sell this ring new,,just like both these..

This really should go in the Superfake topic..

Well a couple weeks later,,we see here the same exact ring.. And don't worry as he has 8 of them to sell!

- * So now we must beware of these hallmarks so be very careful!

https://www.ebay.de/itm/Skull-Ring-Husarenring-Totenkopf-Silber-835-1/264982270176?hash=item3db22c90e0:g:DtEAAOSwAp1fviB1


So there are authentic examples of this pattern that pre date the war and yes still currently being manufactured.. IF you must have one in my opinion I'd look for a 'solid' inner. IF you see another of the hollow type you like also look for that thin and tapered band,,and real ageing, wear...


So photos - 1st hallmarks and 2nd ring listed. Seems he or whoever are already making copies of copies of copies..

So post it the Superfake topic, too, already.



Dave

@Gaspare
I want one of those "hussar" rings as a wearer. That link you posted, is it worth $20 or are there any better ones out there for the same price or even cheaper?

actually Mahler searching around the net,,,20 euro + shipping , thats not a bad price

Probably searching your local/national ebay , and skull rings for sale, on the internet will give you some comparisons... Some maybe cheaper but the quality / detail will be terrible so be careful..

The first link to my ring
Everything else that Gaspare posts has been on the Internet for several years.
Even the hallmarks are stamped in a different order in my ring

Here is an MBR I have, smaller size maybe a 7 or 8. Brass or melted peso i would imagine.

@Gaspare, thanks, I bought one, pretty cheap and not that bad looking repo for a wearer.

@Powar, yeah that's odd, myself have never seen one with the Laurin mark after the silverstamp. Isn't the laurin mark the last thing that's stamped on a ring? hmm

@Mike That's a neat looking ring right there, that grin is priceless!

No one has added anything to this fantastic thread for a while, so here goes...

Most of us have read here about a couple of 'hoards' of rings found by Gaspare and Götz. I was fortunate years ago to obtain three of these rings. I believe they were found, with the original labels attached, in the attic of a Berlin jeweller. They were all brand new; never worn. Maybe Gaspare can clarify this.

This is a well-known, early skull ring pattern produced by Emil Frey & Co. in Pforzheim. I have even seen a photo of Himmler, who liked skull rings, wearing one of this pattern. They have the classic Frey stamp of 'F*' with a silver content of 835. They also have a Laurin (Ln) stamp of quality. Some have glass eyes, some not. I have also seen this pattern referred to as a 'Wehrwolf' ring. No idea why. The detail on these rings is really fine.

Lucky you,,you got one with the red 'gems' in eyes! We didn't let many of those go...Odal and I only have one each..

Beautiful examples.... They were in a box to be sent to a retailer. Once the retailer would have gotten them he probably would have taken off those tags,,and maybe added his own , or not...

They were all mint and seeing the detail as new was stunning at first to Odal and I. Having found the hoard but not knowing German I could have never gotten these. Odal doing all the translating and converting money,,,AND helping with investors, etc. was invaluable!!


- Great old topic to look thru!!!!

How many rings were in the hoard when you found it?

it was years ago!! maybe a gross mixed [144]