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SS insignia ring taken from a concentration camp guard by inmates to give to a US soldier

Object | Accession Number: 2007.126.2
2007.126.2 front SS insignia ring taken from a concentration camp guard by inmates to give to a US soldier Click to enlarge

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
1945 April-1945 May  (received)
Geography
received : Dachau (Concentration camp); Dachau (Germany)
Classification
Jewelry
Category
Rings
Object Type
Signet rings (lcsh)
Credit Line
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Robert Hess
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About This Object

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 : 0.875 x 0.875 x 0.500 in. (2.223 x 2.223 x 1.27 cm.)
Materials
overall : metal, paint
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.

Keywords and Subjects

Administrative History

Legal Status
Permanent Collection
Provenance
The signet ring was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2007 by Robert Hess.

Rights and Restrictions

Conditions on Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions on Use
No restrictions on use
 
Record last modified: 2018-10-24 14:07:04
This page: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn519021

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 surrounding the liberation of Dachau and copyprints of post-liberation Dachau.

View Collection