The SS-Ehrenring , unofficially called Totenkopfring ,which translates to Deaths Head Ring(English "Death's head ring"), was an award of Heinrich Himmler's Schutzstaffel (SS). It was not a state decoration, but rather a personal gift bestowed by Himmler.



The ring was initially presented to senior officers of the Old Guard of which there were fewer than 5,000, who had displayed exemplary valor and leadership skill in battle. An additional requirement was a clean disciplinary record, and a subsequent blemish on it would require the wearer to return the ring. By 1939, disciplinary issues aside, it was available to any officer with 3 years service in the SS, and in WWII virtually the entire SS leadership, including the Waffen-SS and Gestapo, had the ring.

On October 17, 1944 production of the rings by Gahr & Co. of Munich was cancelled due to the increasing economic stresses of the final stages of the war. 14,500 were made altogether. The rings were cast in two halves with the recipients name inside along with other inscriptions, then fused together and finished, it was cast in Silver.

In addition every recipient got a standard letter of Himmler which described the meaning of the ring. The name of the recipient and the conferment date was added on the letter.

According to Himmler's accompanying letter the skull itself was to be a reminder for the wearer of the ring to be prepared anytime to risk their own life for the life of the community.

The design of the ring reflects Himmler's interest in Germanic mysticism.

The ring shows skull and crossed bones on its top. The skull (or Totenkopf) was the traditional symbol of the SS, taken from other German and Prussian military units of the past. Armanen runes appear prominently on the ring. The two Sig Runes represent the lightning flash runes of the Schutzstaffel, while the Hagal rune represents the faith and camaraderie that was idealised by the leaders of the organisation. The SS liked to portray the Swastika as a symbol of the power of the Aryan race.

The Heilszeichen (literally: symbols of salvation), on the rear of the ring, was a creation of the SS designers rather than a historical rune. It symbolised all the ideals of the SS, from camaraderie to their belief that SS men should sacrifice all for their brothers.

On the inside of the ring was engraved the name of the bearer, initial followed by full surname, the date of presentation, and a facsimile of Himmler's signature, plus the abbreviations S Lb. for "Seinem Lieben" or "His Beloved." Recipients also received a specially designed box decorated with the SS runes for storage or carrying.

Karl Maria Wiligut has been credited with the design.

All rings were to be returned to Himmler upon the bearer's death or when they left the SS, to be kept at Wewelsburg as a kind of individual memorial to the holder. When a ring-holder was killed in battle, his SS comrades were to make every effort to retrieve the ring and prevent its falling into enemy hands. By January 1945, 64% of the 14,500 rings made had been returned to Himmler. After the end of the war, many rings were also (per Himmler's instructions) buried with the people who were awarded them.

Less than 3,500 rings are thought to be in existence today, and therefore are very rare, collectable items. Copies and fakes are also common. There appears to be difficulty in verifying the authenticity of examples bearing the name "Müller" and "Maier".