Greetings!
First I would like to say that i am not a Nazi, nor believe in anything that the Third Reich stood for.

Now to my question. I have just found out that my Great-Great-Great Grandfather was a Lt. Col. in the Third Reich. <Insert above sentence here>. My Uncle has a ring that belonged to the man and we want to find out more about it. It is an officers ring with markings on the inside. The band has been cut right in the middle because my Grandfather was wearing it when he died. My Uncle does recall an inscription on the band but does not remember what it said.

Now, I need to know if any of you know where I can find a reputable site that either deals in Nazi Memorabilia or something on the web. I mainly want to see pictures and get a price on it.

Once again I must say that I am not a Nazi. Keep in mind, I have a Mexican husband, my last name is Cervantes and my Daughter is half Mexican and half White (Irish, Scottish, German and Italian.) So please, do not call me names and don't hate me.

The Family Name is Gollihar if any one cares and if that helps in any way.

Thanks in advance.

Awwww, hon, dont worry, if any fucker here says one bad word against you...I will personally bash their heads in. ;)

Honestly, you may be hardpressed finding a reputable site on "Nazi" memorbilla. Maybe try just using German history sites.....leaving out the Nazi part. You may be able to get a better idea that way.

xoxo

there's lots of people who deal in that sort of stuff, (but it's illegal in germany.) just search for 'militaria' specifying ww2 and germany. e-bay has a big section, have a look for any traders on there

I'm sure David Dickenson could help you out.

Not sure if you get him in the US though.

I'd say just Ebay it. There are so many collectors in every field who frequent the place, you're bound to find someone who'll want it.

My advice would be to be cautious, remember a lot of objet D'art from that period originated from 'dubious' source material, therefore it might not be wise to offer it on a public auction site if the history of the item is not well known.

Far better to find a local military historian or museum and get some background on it, or items like it beforehand, It would also help to have a proper valuation on the item to see if its worth offering up for sale, a lot of memorabilia from that period is far more common than is widely imagined. Iron crosses for example were being handed out like cigarettes by the end of the war.

trxie wouldnt be selling it, too much history leading from that ring. she just wanted to know if its value might cause it to be stealable

And plus it is a family heirloom. It my Grandpa was wearing it when he died. I would never sell it. Taking it to the muesum is a very good idea thank you!

So is there an inscription still actually on the ring?

You said that your grandpa recalled an inscription, but not what it said...maybe you could cut and paste it onto here...Im sure someone reads german.

If all else fails, there is always babelfish :)

trxie, the museum can also advise you about security issues. You can decide whether something is more secure in a drawer at your place, or whether it is more secure in a glass box at a heavily protected museum with guards and insurance etc. Under some arrangements you could pick it up and take it home for family events and return it to the museum for a) safekeeping b) study by experts c) better explanation of its context.

I am not sure that c*nts who are big fans of Hitler and who deny the Holocaust would necessarily abide by ethical requirements about privacy or fair evaluations.

Ken, my uncle said there was an inscription on the band but the band had to be cut when my PaPa died in order to get it off. He don't remember what was on the band. The only markings that are on the band now are a X, a cross (+) and 1 thunderbolt. It does look like something was covered up by more metal but we don't want o to have it removed.

Ah, ok...I assumed they just cut it straight across, not that a significant portion of the band was missing...

Too bad you didnt get to me like a year earlier...I knew this old closet-nazi who was apparently the number one collector in the US...

Ill ask around and see if anyone knows what the three symbols you mention mean...

Well the thunderbolt could be one of the SS symbols, which looked like the ones in the picture. The SS was not only the nasty buch we hear about in 'history' lessons, there's more info here (http://www.feldgrau.com/ss.html)

heh, the writing at the bottom there says 'entry after your 12th year'
Join up on your 13th birthday, kids

No it doesn't it says 17. (17th)
Join up on yer 18th, like most armies.

Sounds like it could be an SS honour ring, awarded to some officers with over 3 years service with the SS. They were inscribed on the inside, with the first letter being an S. For more info try:

http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/honor_awards/ssring/ssring_main.htm

If it doesn't look like that, you could always go on their forum and describe it, I'm sure you'll find someone who could help.

(PS. If you think I know far too much about this for my own good I just read the page before posting the link to make sure it was relevant)

In the Spring of 1945, with the Wehrmacht in full retreat, Himmler ordered that the rings cared for in the Shrine be blast sealed into the side of a mountain near Wewelsburg, in order to prevent their capture by the Allies. To this day, they remain undiscovered

stuff like this is fasignating. if you find out anymore about the ring and where you think it came from i would be most interested in hearing :)