Sspanzer regiment totenkopf 194345 casemate illustrated. This ring features the totenkopf with crossed bones on each side. The division was formed in the town of dachau, at an sstraining depot. The history of the deaths head division, 194045 1st edition by mann, chris isbn. This light weight silver ring reveals a hollow skull with a silver content stamp of 830. Kelleys military carries a wide variety of quality wwii german badges, medals, buckles, fieldgear, flags and other militaria. Using modern tools not available to previous authors on this s. Also covered are design background, construction techniques, and an indepth analysis of the physical characteristics of rings. Also in fieldgrey uniform is the werkstatt zug leader, herderer. Most styles are made in one size, which averages 10 or 11, but they can be sized to fit by your local jeweler. The 3rd waffenss panzer division totenkopf, 19391943.
This waffen ss division has a tainted history because initially its soldiers were recruited from concentration camps. The deaths head ring cannot be bought or sold and must never fall into the hands of those not entitled to wear it. An ss honour ring ssrottenfuhrer eduard gartner member of sstotenkopf division. An ebook reader can be a software application for use on a computer such. Sstotenkopfinfanterieregiment and assigned to the totenkopf division, with some men forming the cadre of the 10. This unique ring from historical world war two german ssehrenring ss honour ring is an exact handcrafted sterling silver replica of the rings from the best fighters that took part in wwii the legendary waffenss. Ss totenkopf ring, third reich ss engagement ring and a book. The distinctive insignia were worn as cap or collar devices on many unique. Wwii german third reich totenkopf ausweiss id book mar 24. The totenkopf was formed from concentration camp guards and men from the ssheimwehr danzig. Isbn 3931533476 gottlieb, craig, the ss totenkopf ring, from munich to nuremberg. Two styles are available in sizes 9, 10, 11 and 12. Notorious for its brutality, most notably a mass execution of british prisoners in the battle of france, totenkopf had a fearsome reputation. During the polish invasion conducted security operations behind the lines.
An illustrated history from munich to nuremberg more. This has to be the most soughtafter item of the third reich. Although the number of dead senegalese and french troops number near 200 from the fighting, it is estimated around 50 of those were murdered by members of sstotenkopf after surrendering. Large silver ss deaths head finger ring inside diameter 21mm, outside diameter 27mm with engraved inscription. Among other uses, it became the symbol of the sstotenkopfverbande one of the original three branches of the ss, along with the algemeine ss and the waffen ss, whose purpose was to guard the concentration camps. Inside the book you will find described fates of 26 officers whose rings i have in the collection. Ww2 original german militaria nazi ss panzer totenkopf items. Jan, 2011 there are other books on the totenkopf which provide lots of history on the division, but for any historian, this book is outstanding. Its a historical summary that hasnt the detail level of the first type but has more photos than the first type. It was not a state decoration, but rather a personal gift bestowed by himmler. The unauthorized acquisition of duplicate ring was forbidden and punishable by law.
Find great deals on ebay for nazi ss ring and ww2 german ring. Unfollow ss totenkopf ring to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. The division was formed of new recruits, men from sstotenkopfstandarten 1, 2, and 3, as well as a cadre of officers and ncos from the ssvt. The skull or totenkopf was the traditional symbol of the ss, taken from other german and prussian military units of the past, the two sieg victory runes represent the lightning flash runes of the schutzstaffel, while the hagall rune represents the faith and camaraderie that was idealised by the leaders of the organisation. Replica of the original box for ss totenkopf ring can be purchased here. Drawing on over 200 original examples, this indepth analysis focuses on every minute detail important to. After the campaign against poland in 1939, a number of new ss divisions were formed. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. With every ring order you will receive a free 3rd reich ring box at no extra. Standing on the steps in fieldgrey uniform at the bottom of the steps is the kompanie spie.
The ring was never official, but among the effects of reinhard heydrich was an entwurf, or original design, for this item found among planned articles dated 1942. The book also covers the prehistory of the totenkopf ring, placing its. The 3rd waffenss panzer division totenkopf, 19431945. The sstotenkopf deaths head sturmbann were guards at the concentration camps who eventually formed the 3rd sspanzer division totenkopf. A hauptsturmfuhrer third ss totenkopf tunic with collar tabs appearing to be machine sewn and in excellent condition, silver bullion cord, and all buttons are present.
Ss engagement ring third reich ring replica nsvendor. The book also covers the prehistory of the totenkopf ring, placing its appearance onto the ss scene in historical context. Shoulder boards have two pips and very minor loss and the bullion has frayed in some sections. This is a zinc alloy tag with some minor corrosion but the text is easily read. This unique ring from historical world war two german ss ehrenring ss honour ring is an exact hand crafted sterling silver replica of the rings from the best fighters that took part in wwii the legendary waffen ss. At the same time, the totenkopfstandarten, aside from the three constituting the tkdivision, lost their deaths head designation and insignia and were. The ss totenkopf deaths head sturmbann were guards at the concentration camps who eventually formed the 3rd ss panzer division totenkopf. He wore his treasured totenkopf black and silver honour title on his left hand cuff. He was attached to the rsi hauptamt the headquarters of the reichsfuhrerss heinrich himmler. Ss totenkopf ehrenrings heinrich himmler honor rings. Here is an original ring of the ss sd shutzstaffelsicherheitdienst. Its name, totenkopf, is german for deaths head the skull and crossbones symbol and it is thus sometimes referred to as the deaths head division. Campaign photo diary of the totenkopf division, may 1940 english, french and german edition by eric lefevre may 3, 2010 5.
Totenkopf is german for deaths head or skull and typically refers to a skullandcrossbones image. The ring prominently featured the runes and mystical symbols of the ss, symbols that played a significant role in magnifying the veil of obscurity and mystique that covered the organization. It was, in fact, a highly prized award of heinrich himmlers schutzstaffel or ss. Ss totenkopf honor ring real or fake axis history forum. As donald boyle, the author of the book the totenkopf h. The ring is wreathed in oak, the traditional german leaf.
Silver ring made by gahr in munich, soldered underneath separately applied deaths head, inside surface engraved s. Who, in their right mind would willfully damage an authentic ring by attempting to scratch out the most important part of a totenkopf. Sstotenkopfinfanterieregiment, and assigned to the totenkopf division 1039. When a german left the ss or died they were required to return the ring to the reichfuhrerss. The division was officered by men from the ssverfugungstruppe ssvt, many of whom had seen action in poland. From the days before world war i to the end of the 3rd reich period, there were hundreds of design patterns for the widely popular totenkopf ring. Best german rings ww2 antiq24 german ss ring ss silver. The totenkopf deaths head was one of the most readily recognized symbols of the nazi schutzstaffel ss, adolf hitlers elite black guard and ideal teutonic knighthood, along with other select germanic political and armed forces of the third reich period. Third reich depot, military collectables, world war ii, nazi. Ww2 german nazi items for sale, original waffen ss, wehrmacht, holocaust concentration camps, anti jewish with free worldwide shipping. Himmlers ss honor ring in detail by craig gottlieb from boffins books in perth, australia.
This unique ring from historical world war two german ssehrenring ss honour ring is an exact hand crafted sterling silver replica of the rings from the best fighters that took part in wwii the legendary waffenss. Third reich depot, military collectables, world war ii. Sspanzerdivision totenkopf was one of 38 divisions of the waffenss of nazi germany during world war ii. But that does not alter the fact that men of the 3rd ss panzer division totenkopf division were some of the toughest soldiers germany perhaps the world ever produced. In his report, sshauptsturmfuhrer adolf kurtz, the chef of 1. Craig gottlieb every collector of german memorabilia will enjoy this fascinating account of the origins, production and distribution of this the rare ss honor ring, showcasing many unpublished examples including the famous karl wolff, hermann priess and xavier schwarz rings. Description this book the ss totenkopf ring himmler s ss honor ring. Sstotenkopf personnel unload from the train in romania, april 1944.
So sacred was amber in the third reich that special editions of hitlers book mein. Our products feature makers marks, proper finshes and some of the finest detail on the market today. It will have a better history but fewer photos of the second type. Ring made of silver, with separate attached totenkopf, inside with engraving s. Kompanie personnel assemble outside the rail station in bacau, april 1944. This ring is typical of canteen rings purchased by ss men. I spent 2 years by writing and searching in archives to save their story for you and the next generations. Ss totenkopf ring, third reich ss engagement ring and a. This unique ring from historical world war two german ss ehrenring ss honour ring is an exact handcrafted sterling silver replica of the rings from the best fighters that took part in wwii the legendary waffen ss.
The 3rd ss division was formed from the totenkopf units that took part in the polish campaign and with other members of the totenkopfverbande. The totenkopfring, also known as deaths head ring is frequently, and wrongly, believed to have been a wedding ring of the nazi party. But that does not alter the fact that men of the 3rd ss panzer division totenkopf division were some of the toughest soldiers. Save nazi ss ring to get email alerts and updates on your ebay feed. In 2017 i wrote the book sstotenkopfring himmleruv prsten cti. But there was only one official tk ring that would be awarded by the reichsfuhrer ss heinrich himmler. Ive never seen a better collection of 3rd ss photos gathered in one place before, and better yet, almost all of these are not seen in other books on the waffen ss. Ww2 original german militaria nazi ss panzer totenkopf. This example shows wear to the highlights consistent with having been worn by the recipient. While the totenkopf skull was the universal cap badge of the ss, the sstv also wore the deaths head insignia on the right collar tab to distinguish itself from other. The ss totenkopf ring by craig gottlieb boffins books. A history of the 3rd sspanzerdivision totenkopf karl. This was the organization so dreaded by the enemies of the reich.
The ss division totenkopf deaths head was formed in october 1939. Totenkopf honor rings german fallschirmjager, waffen ss. The ssehrenring ss honour ring, unofficially called totenkopfring deaths head ring, was an award of heinrich himmlers schutzstaffel ss. He offers never before seen photos and documents, and even develops many new wellreasoned theories about the totenkopf death head ring. Some of the external markings totenkopf, wreath look a little dull which may suggest a mass produced repro born from a single mould. The award was both a product of, and a source nourishment to the hint of arrogance that surrounds all military units that consider themselves elite. German ww2 nazi ss totenkopf himmler honor ring book by don boyle signed 250. Waffenss totenkopf infantry regiment dog tag stamped from the reverse in raised text 114 ss t. Here is an original ring of the sssd shutzstaffelsicherheitdienst. He was born on october 22, 1894, and was promoted to ssobersturmbannfuhrer lieutenant colonel on 10939.
The ring was awarded by heinrich himmler to the schutzstaffel ss. Hauptsturmfuhrer third ss totenkopf tunic jan 04, 2020. The 3rd ss panzer regiment was part of the totenkopf divisionone of the 38 waffenss divisions active during world war ii. The ssehrenring ss honour ring, unofficially called totenkopfring deaths head ring. The ring retains excellent detail in all but the rear double runic panel, which is where most worn rings show wear. There are other books on the totenkopf which provide lots of history on the division, but for any historian, this book is outstanding. Totenkopf rings were awarded between 1933 and 1945 approximately 15,000 rings were made and had been presented to qualifying ss members. The distinctive insignia were worn as cap or collar devices on many unique paramilitary and military uniforms. The book covers the formation of the division in 1939 and its subsequent. Commanded by theodor eicke, the sstv sstotenkpfverbande was created in 1936 to staff the concentration camps, which at this stage were used to hold political prisoners and similar undesirables. Waffen ss totenkopf infantry regiment dog tag stamped from the reverse in raised text 114 ss t. Ss division totenkopf was formed in october, 1939, following the invasion of poland. During the nazi era, hitlers schutzstaffel ss adopted one particular totenkopf image as a symbol.