Fake Totenkopf ring

[Spasm]

Gents and Gentesses

Have a look at this and you can play the investigation game. I bought this a couple of months ago from a 'reputable' uk dealer advertised as an original. I knew there was no way it was an original because of the price but it's a pretty good copy. The pictures were taken just now under a normal room light (dark here in Londinium) so they have no depth but I have focused in on the details quite well. The rings looks to be multi part with a join in the band behind the skull and the skull looks to be a separate part (as one would expect in an original). There are no 'bubbles' one sees with cast copies and in the hand it feels and looks really good.

There is, however, one mistake which is plain to see. Have a look and see if you can tell me what's wrong.

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The ring looks a bit yellow due to the lighting, its a very bright silver

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You can just make out the join in the band in the fuzzy background

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All the correct runes are present and its been well worn

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Now focusing on the inscription on the inside of the ring

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the date of 08.10.42 is inscribed ("Is that date the correct date?" I hear you ask - I believe in the early part of the reich these were only given out on soltices but later ones were inscribed with other dates) along with H. Himmler

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And the SS officer's name - A. Muller (with an umlaut) quite a common German name. You'd be surprised that there isnt that many SS officers with that name at that time. I hope its the one on the Eastern Front and not that one in the Polish concentration camp.

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And the final one of the death's head. So, any old end up, whats the give away?

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Oh, and by the way, I have no problem with the supplier of the ring - it was very cheap and I wanted to have it in hand as it looked to be a good copy. If I had had a problem, I would have received a full refund which I'm sure the dealer would have been happy to supply once advised of his error in his description. It was only his description that was out, not the price.

If held along with a real one it's fairly noticeable which one is correct. But just looking at pictures on some auction or web site could mislead some buyers so this may aid if you fall under the spell to buy one on impulse.

Mind you, a couple of grand on impulse is a steep impulse. But I have been known to fall for the odd motorcycle or two in my time :whistle:

Edited July 29, 2011 by Spasm