UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories The Honor Ring Forum First Two Rings Posted

Years ago when this was the "Don Boyle Honor Ring forum" I had seen this site/forum and after not being able to identify 2 rings I had decided to post them here and try my luck..
Well no one back then seemed too interested in private purchase rings. 99% of the questions here were 'Is my Honor ring real?', 'How does this one look?' , and my favorite - 'Check out my new honor ring!',[which 99% of the time was a fake!] , So my request for identification went unanswered.

So here they are again some 21 years later;

Found at a dig near Minsk. Since it is a 'field made' or trench made ring they gave it to me. Never really knew what the emblem was,,cleaned it and it went in my dug box..

Made from Aluminum ,,has copper inlay... So,,emblem ring any bells with anyone??

next ring..
This was found in a soldiers small metal box with some personal items at a dig site.. Appears to be stamped construction. 800 marked in band,,very thin and light.
Anyone with an ID?

My theory is the trench art piece has a Slovakian symbol. I believe the D is missing on the shank of the other ring- looks to be worn off. The name would read DERNA - as in Derna Libya- which was occupied by the Germans in 1942 until it was taken by the allies.

Mike,,the 2nd ring there is nothing before the E. .
Maybe a name or? Had a email saying those are Runes on the sides! The more I look at them its a strong possibility..

Slovakian,,very possible! Thanks.....

This info may be of interest -

Erna is a village in the Kudymkarsky District of the Perm Territory . Included in the composition of the Wieski rural settlement . It is located northeast of the city of Kudymkar . The village is surrounded by forests, through which flows the river Erna of the same name ( Velva tributary).

Vern- what nation is that in?

Russia

The center ornament in the second ring immediately reminds me on the inglorious collar tab (see below) but the surrounding ornament reminds me on latvian ornaments.
Regards,

The sign of the first ring obviously does have a connex to Lithuania with the double cross of their coat of arms.
Regards,

Second ring front engraving remembers me Deutsche Turner Bund insignia, but Wotan's suggestion is more likely the key.

Ric

wotan, You are absolutely correct imo as well..

Thanks so much,,you guys are good!!

On the infamous SS foreign volunteer map showing shields and collar tabs found this! My Minsk lo cal might be right,,the map show tab for 'White Russians',,Belorussian...

Wotan your Latvian connect seems correct too..

Here are a bunch of the Dachau Depot collar tab insignia. There is a old photo showing that stylized Swas tab on a Latvian and years back mislabeled as a Foreign Volunteer tab for Latvia. Really it is a tab for foreigners and non SS stationed at concentration camps... Many Latvian were!

also White Russ tab circled..

Typical latvian appearance/ornaments. Very likely latvian origins. Also womens name Erna was common in Latvia at that time frame.
Type of swastica used in ring is still common in Latvia today. You can do image search "ugunskrusts" for various latvian variations of swastica in etnographic signs and ornaments.

Sign of thunder, is one of the most ancient symbols in the world and has been used by all nations. The Latvian sign of thunder symbolizes light, fire, life, health and prosperity. No other nation has used swastica so widely, nor developed so many variations of it as latvians.

A small sampling of Latvian variations of the swastika.

Thanks Hapur.. yeah I'm still 50/50 on the ring.. Yes Latvians closely associated with Swas. emblem. A conundrum for sure!
,,
Cartouche emblem is the exact as the German collar tab,,but, many Latvians wore them in Camp service as seen in a couple period soldbuch photos...
.. But ,,the design around it looks Lavian in itself.

The 1942 applies for both [ unless it is a special year for Latvia for a reason ]...
As the Erna,,Latvian and, a place a German might have been in Russian territory[?] The content mark mainly German.. And,, I still think the designs on the sides are Runic!
Either way,, I love the piece and have had a long time and enjoy it... Thanks for all the responses..

At the begining could be blank ring,made in Germany, later engraved Erna, year etc. Can not see from pic if the top plate is die struck ar later engraved.