Henrich Himmler SS Honor Ring Inscribed
Item: WWII Nazi German Third Reich SS Himmler Honor Ring
Size: 10
Condition: Overall good vintage condition. Signs of age and wear.
Description: This is a rare and collectible WWII Nazi German Third Reich SS Himmler Honor ring. The ring is made of silver and is engraved with oak leaves and swastika insignia patterns, and a Totenkopf swastika insignia in the center. The interior of the ring is engraved with an awarded name, a facsimile Himmler's signature, and dated. This ring is a significant piece of history and would be a prized addition to any collection.
History of Himmler's Honor Rings:
The SS-Ehrenring ("SS Honour Ring"), unofficially called Totenkopfring (i.e. "Skull Ring", literally "Death's Head Ring"), was an award of Heinrich Himmler's Schutzstaffel (SS). It was not a state decoration, but rather a personal gift bestowed by Himmler. It became a highly sought-after award, one which could not be bought or sold. The SS Honour Sword and SS Honour Dagger were similar awards.
The ring was first awarded on 9 November 1933, the tenth anniversary of the Beer Hall Putsch. It was awarded to SS officers who had been members of the SS since 1933 and who had served for at least four years. The ring was made of silver and was engraved with the SS runes, the Totenkopf insignia, and the date of the award.
In 1938, Himmler ordered that the rings of dead SS men and officers be returned to the SS. These rings were stored in a chest in Wewelsburg Castle. In October 1944, Himmler ordered that further manufacture and awards of the ring were to be halted.
Only about 12,000 SS-Ehrenring were awarded before the end of the war. Today, these rings are highly collectible and are sought after by collectors and historians alike.
and wear