Anatomy of a SS Honor Ring

The SS Honor Ring is perhaps one of the most sought after items from World War 2.

Its origins represent the darkest and most disturbing aspects of the Nazi Party.

It is also one of the most Copied and Faked items in the Militaria Collecting arena.

An original ring can bring upwards of $10,000.00 + dollars.

Each ring was individually engraved with the recipients name and date of presentation.

Upon the death of the holder they were returned to Wewelsburg castle and enshrined in memory of

 the SS officer who had worn the ring.

 Rings that were recovered from individuals who had been expelled from the SS were melted down.

 This is clearly stated in Himmler's orders relating to the conferral regulations. 

Here is the Honor Ring Citation

I award you the SS Death's Head Ring. The ring symbolizes our loyalty to the Führer, our steadfast obedience and our brotherhood and comradeship. The Death's Head reminds us that we should be ready at any time to lay down our lives for the good of the Germanic people. The runes diametrically opposite the Death's Head are symbols from our past of the prosperity which we will restore through National Socialism. The two Sig-Runes stand for the name of our SS. The swastika and the Hagall-Rune represent our unshakable faith in the ultimate victory of our philosophy. The ring is wreathed in oak, the traditional German leaf. The Death's Head Ring cannot be bought or sold and must never fall into the hands of those not entitled to wear it. When you leave the SS, or when you die, the ring must be returned to the Reichsführer-SS. The unauthorized acquisition of duplicates of the ring is forbidden and punishable by Law. Wear the ring with honor!
H. HIMMLER

The attempt of this page is to show examples of a Known Fake and a Known Original.

By comparison the viewer may be able to better identify both.

The pictures below were provided by

GAILEN DAVID MILITARY ANTIQUES

The Original

A Fake

I am owner of this example. It is a very well done fake purchased from a seller in Poland.

The seller did not represent it as Real or Fake.

The conclusions below are my own and I may be wrong.

You decide.

Now here is the Anatomy.

Why is this a Fake?

1. Look inside the Runes at the background.

                      The original has pebbling that the fake lacks.

2. Look at the skull face.

                      The nostril holes of the original are very concentric, the fake they are uneven.

                      The indentation on the right of the skull of the fake is very deep and close to the nostril

                      hole on the fake. The original is more offset to the right.

3. Look at inscription.

                      The original is inscribed with the last name Brocke.

                      The fake is engraved J. Mater.

                      The original will have the letters S.lb proceeded by the Last Name only.

                      The letters S.lb stand for Seinem Lieben (With Respect and Honor).

4. Look at the date.

                     The original is even and straight. The fake the date is not evenly sized or numbers evenly rotated.

5. Look at the leaf pattern to the right of the skull.

                     The original right lower (as you look at it) bone is cut off by the leaf edging. The fake is not.

Other items you need to look for:

1. The skull is a separate part attached to the ring. Look for a fine solder line between the ring and the skull.

                     The fake shown here posses this line, as do many fakes and copies.

2. Look at the wear of the surface of the ring and compare it to the inner engraved surface. Does the wear on

                     the outer surface compare to the inner? Keep in mind the outer surface will wear more for

                     obvious reasons but is the inner surface worn? Or is it in new condition?

                     Are the edges of the ring worn or sharp? The wear on the edges of a original should be uneven

                     and not concentric. This fake is uneven as is the original.

3. The runes will wear differently. The SS and Arrow rune should be worn the most. It is the lowest rune on the

                     band and sees the most abuse. As does the skull with it being on the top. Or are all the runes

                     worn the same. A fake may be worn the same. This fake is different and very well done.

4. Original Honor rings will Never be marked with the silver content.

5. Original Honor rings are NOT RZM marked.

Conclusion:

In the world of Militaria Collecting it is as with anything. Buyer Beware.

The best way to avoid being taken in is to be armed with knowledge.

Do your research before you buy.

Ask questions of sellers. If they are unwilling to answer them; then be wary of the item.

Do not "Impulse Buy" an item. You may get lucky now and then, but overall you lose.

Here are some examples of more common copies and fakes.

These have been by no means represented as originals or not.

This Page is dynamic.

Others have contributed to it's creation and will continue to contribute.

If you have a contribution to make in Pictures, Comment, Suggestions, and Information

then please E-Mail me using the link provided.