Totenkopf ring tracing original owner

[bernhard]

Hi,

Some years ago through family i managed to get hold of a Totenkopf ring but want to try trace the original owner.

The ring is reasonably worn with the H.Himmler barely discernable and the persons name almost completely worn off.
However it is possible to see a bit of the date of issue : 21.6.4? ( not sure if the final digit in the year is a 4 or a 2, 1944 or 1942)
With this meagre information would it be possible to find out what rings were issued on those date ? And where would i be able to find that sort of info

Thank You

Bernhard

[Matt Gibbs]

There were 4 standard issue dates with many many rings doubtless being issued on each of the dates. It would be nigh on impossible to discover the exact details of the owner unless perhaps you were able to have the ring scanned in some way that might enhance the detail visible to make the name appear clearer, this is doubtful with metal but is used in archeology to discover ink on wooden tablets for example. Even with the official officer listings it does not mention dates of awards.
Regards
Matt Gibbs

[Raz]

Here are figures of how many rings were awarded on those dates from Don Boyles
Honor ring book.

1942 - 2,240
1944 - 1,935

As Matt has said without a name your task is impossible. IF you had a name or partial name
you then could check the dienstaltersliste or better still have a professional researcher
like Bernie Brule do the ground work for you. However this is also a hit and miss affair as
dienstaltersliste are not perfect.

http://members.rogers.com/ssocr/index_1024.html

[Kim]

Police labs use some sort of scanning to retrieve serial numbers that have been ground off guns or engine blocks. Maybe they could steer you in the right direction. The 4 dates of issue in the years 1936-1944 are 20.4, 21.6, 9.11, 21.12. Good luck1
Kim

[bernhard]

Thank You,

Have spoken to Police Services.
They think they might be able to with a high tech scanner ( fingerprint analyser)

will see what happens

[Kim]

Great! Keep us posted on the results.
Cheers,Kim

[Germania]

Please tell what you reach in this case! This is the interessting at collecting items found out the history behind and piece of your collection!

[Phil V]

Could you please post some scans of your Totenkopf.

Regards

[Germania]

A small correction of the number of the rings handed out 194..
1940=1471rings
1941=1184rings
1942=2240rings
1943=1798rings
1944=1935rings

Inside the ring you found S.lb. name of the person wear the ring date when get the ring and H.Himmler! Write to Klaus D. Patzwall
Tangstedter Weg 52
22851 Norderstedt
Fax +04940/52983714
I think he can help you!

[bernhard]

Ok finally managed to put the ring on our colour copier scanner

Police Forensics have come back to me with another suggestion
They use liquid called "green mamba" ( south african snake) for stolen cars where the engine number has been filed off.

They just need to do a check if it destroys silver!!!!

Well here are the pics

[bernhard]

mmm i think only one came out

will try another one

[Germania]

Can you please post an picture of the deathhead! Which diametre has the ring and how much weight the ring!

[Phil V]

Cannot tell much from the scans unfortunately.

If it is an authentic item it is in extremely good condition.

[bernhard]

Ok, just moving house, then will take some decent pics

By that time hopefully the Police have done their part.

The scans did not come out too well.