Description
Extremely nice and rare early 1934 dated SS Totenkopf Ring produced by the firm of Otto Gahr, München. This ring is textbook in every way with an even and natural wear pattern and an uncleaned layer of patina. The inner band is engraved with the recipient’s last name and the date of the awarding, “Hans Hohmann 30.6.34” this date indicates participation in the Knight of the Long Knives. His SS Membership #2117. NSDAP Membership #129003. Untersturmfuhrer Hans Hohmann appears on the 1935 Dienstaltersliste and shows he has the Honor Ring, is #2307 on the list. During his early service he served as a leader in SS-Gruppe Südwest, the highest regional division level of the SS for the German Southwest in Stuttgart. After this he would serve in the Waffen-SS in SS Division Prinz Eugen and make the rank of SS-Hauptsturmführer. All said and done this is the earliest ring produced to one of the earliest “old fighters” in the SS, the details are as nice as you could find. The SS Totenkopf Ring has become extremely popular in recent years, making them very scarce and quite valuable now. If you’re looking for a quality investment grade example, this is it.
Note – The SS-Ehrenring was initially presented to senior officers of the Alter Kämpfer (Old Guard) within the SS, of whom there were fewer than 5,000. This was later expanded to all SS members who graduated from the SS-Junker Schools and other SS training facilities. Each ring had the recipient’s name, the award date, and Himmler’s signature engraved on the interior. The ring came with a standard letter from Himmler and citation. It was to be worn only on the left hand, on the “ring finger”. The name of the recipient and the conferment date was added on the letter. In the letter, according to Himmler, the ring was a “reminder at all times to be willing to risk the life of ourselves for the life of the whole”. If an SS member was dismissed or retired from the service, his ring had to be returned. In 1938, Himmler ordered the return of all rings of dead SS men and officers to be stored in a chest at Wewelsburg Castle. This was to be a memorial to symbolize the ongoing membership of the deceased in the SS order. In October 1944, Himmler ordered that further manufacture and awards of the ring were to be halted. Himmler then ordered that all the remaining rings, approximately 11,500, be blast-sealed inside a hill near Wewelsburg. By January 1945, 64% of the 14,500 rings made had been returned to Himmler after the deaths of the “holders”. In addition, 10% had been lost on the battlefield and 26% were either kept by the holder or their whereabouts were unknown.
