Overview
- Brief Narrative
- Figner ring with the SS dual lightning bolt insignia given to Robert Hess by inmates at the recently liberated Dachau concentration camp. A group of former prisoners took the ring by cutting off the finger of an SS soldier in order to present it as a gift to Hess. Hess was a soldier with the United States 92nd Signal Battalion and was at Dachau around the time of its liberation.
- Date
-
received:
1945 April-1945 May
- Geography
-
received:
Dachau (Concentration camp);
Dachau (Germany)
- Credit Line
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Robert Hess
- Markings
- outer band, stamped : C with arrow pointing down
- Contributor
-
Subject:
Robert Hess
- Biography
-
Robert Hess served in the United State Army during World War II. He was a member of the 92nd Signal Battalion, which arrived at Normandy on July 13, 1944, joined Patton's 3rd Army and fought across Northern France to Germany and Central Europe. He was at Dachau concentration camp near the time of its liberation on April 25, 1945.
Physical Details
- Classification
-
Jewelry
- Category
-
Rings
- Object Type
-
Signet rings (lcsh)
- Physical Description
- Circular, silver colored metal ring with a flat, rectangular medallion on top with an embossed design of dual lightning bolts on a black background with white flecks of paint. There are stylized lines engraved up the sides to the top.
- Dimensions
- overall: Height: 0.875 inches (2.223 cm) | Width: 0.875 inches (2.223 cm) | Depth: 0.500 inches (1.27 cm)
- Materials
- overall : metal, paint
Rights & Restrictions
- Conditions on Access
- No restrictions on access
- Conditions on Use
- No restrictions on use
Keywords & Subjects
Administrative Notes
- Legal Status
- Permanent Collection
- Provenance
- The signet ring was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2007 by Robert Hess.
- Record last modified:
- 2023-08-31 10:43:59
- This page:
- https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn519021
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Also in Robert Hess collection
The collection consists of a signet ring, documents, and copy prints relating to the experiences of Robert Hess, a United States soldier present at the liberation of Dachau concentration camp.
Date: 1945 April-1945 May
Robert Hess papers
Document
Collection consists of copy prints and photocopies. Includes copies of a letter, diary and newspaper article concerning the liberation of Dachau, and copyprints of post-liberation Dachau.
