Totenkopfring Research - a cautionary tale

[RaymondG]

Hi

I thought I would share this story with you as an example of how critical it is to conduct as thorough research as you can when looking at buying a totenkopfring.

I bought a totenkopfring attributed to a DKiG winner some time ago which came with a few pages of research for the recipient. The ring is dated 20.4.44 and engraved with the name 'Günther'. I did a quick check with the Dienstaltersliste's I had at the time and it backed up the research and I was obviously very happy to own such a ring.

I added to the original research to get the full file on Günther and was even lucky enough to find a photograph of Günther courtesy of John P. Moore.

Attached are some images of the ring and the entry from the October 1994 list.

[RaymondG]

Recently, I was lucky enough to get hold of a copy of the October 1943 Dienstaltersliste and thought I had better check on Günther's entry as there was a time gap that I was never 100% comfortable with.

Now, the entry revealed that Günther is listed as being already a totenkopfring recipient, which was published 6 months before the award date. Attached is the entry from October 1943. Thus, my ring is not the ring of Dr. Claus Günther.

It is not a thread of recrimination as the research that I received with the ring was done in good faith and I am still happy with the ring. It is disappointing for me, but it is more important to get to the truth that delude yourself into hoping it is something that it may not be.

This is aimed more as a tale of caution for others who are thinking of buying a ring, or have a ring to make sure you conduct as much research as you can, or as questions on forums such as this one to make sure you are as comfortable as you can be with the information you are being presented and have done all you can to ensure what you are being presented with is accurate.

You will have this problem more with rings from the early 1940's onwards as there are gaps in the available Dienstaltersliste's which makes verification that bit harder. Some are easier that others, especially with uncommon surnames.

Interestingly, I am sure I saw an earlier Günther ring in the last six months and that could well be Dr Claus Günther's ring!

Raymond

[ServerAdmin]

Great cautionary tale! I wonder if the person who owns the other Gunther ring will have the same 'ah ha' moment years down the road.

Jason

[clevischi]

Ray, Do you remember the discussion about my ring, from Rohmann, some months ago? These words are from Mr. Boyle:

"Carlos : This is easy to answer. (Karl Rohmann ) is shown as
having
the ring n 1935 and 1936. It is known that you filled out an applicaion
for the ring submitted it and would recieve the ring in about 6 to 9
months after the appliation. It shows KARL as having the ring in 1935
when he applied for it and it was put on the Deinstaltersliste at that
time but he would not recieve the ring for around 6 to 9 months so it
would have the date the ring was made and sent which would be (1936)
Best Wishes Don Boyle."

So its explain why your ring was listed 6 months before the award date.