For nearly 50 years,
we have collected Military & Patriotic jewelry, and I've had a passion
for rings. The countries represented will be the U.S., Japan and
Germany
(German rings are now in the German Material section). The time period which is covered will run from the
mid-1800's to WWII, with the preponderance being from WWII.
These rings are, and have always been extremely popular and difficult
to obtain. All guaranteed original. The examples listed herein
will barely scratch the surface of what we have. It will take a
long time for the entire collection to be offered, so please check
back from time to time.
CLICK ON
EACH THUMBNAIL PHOTO FOR LARGER VIEW OF THE ITEM
Approximate sizes are given only because some people ask. We
don't sell these as modern rings to wear, but as vintage collectibles.
1R - THE CLASSIC WWII CHINA-BURMA-INDIA RING
An example which 20 years ago brought premium prices, if
you could actually find one for sale. The last few I recall
seeing, before they virtually disappeared from the market, were priced
$250-325. Unmarked silver ring body. Top face is large
shield with design of the CBI patch. Band across the top is
cobalt blue with symbols. Band across the middle engraved with
"INDIA". Bottom half is covered with vertical red and white
stripes, from the American Shield. Shoulders of ring have
"BURMA" and "INDIA" lettering against cobalt blue. Below this is
the date, half each side..."19" & "43". All colors complete and
fired enamel. Handsome ring and my favorite of all.
Approximate size 8. Priced at our cost. $235
3R - 3rd ARMY SILVER RING, POSSIBLY WWI
Elevated oval face of polished semi-precious gem or glass, with
3rd Army patch engraved into it, and color added to the depression.
Decorative shoulders. 830 silver body.
Excellent condition. Approximate size 7.
$50
4R - CAMP PERRY - WWII NATIONAL MATCHES RING -
INCREDIBLE RING The top insignia is a circular target in
red, white (silver) and blue (the red and blue is enamel). The
outer ring bears the miniature text "NATIONAL MATCHES / CAMP PERRY
O.". Valuable and rare memento of these early matches.
Sides have standard spread eagles with American shields. Very
good used condition. No missing enamel. Crisp lettering.
Marked "STERLING" inside, plus a couple unknown marks which may deal
with sizing. Approximate size 11.5. $250
5R - WWII HINGED SWEETHEART LOCKET RING NATIONAL
EMBLEM One of the neatest patriotic - military
rings sold during WWII. This one features the National Emblem on
the hinged cover plate, which rotates, revealing a small cavity for
photo. This type of ring was fairly
inexpensive and popular, and it also could be found with insignia of
all the services. This ring is in excellent
condition, showing some minor use or handling. It is stamped
"STERLING" and "PAT PEND" inside. Approximate size is 12.
Very special. $95
6R - CIVIL WAR SOLDIER'S RING Don't
know whether this was commercially made or made by the soldier.
Very nicely done. Made from hard, dark brown wood. Basic
body is "U" shaped, with a large, flat top, inlaid with a large silver
plate. The wood has 2 parallel grooves in its sides, and the
ring's width expands toward the top. The silver plate on top is
professionally engraved with soldier's unit and state information "3rd
Regt/N.H.V.". A soldier's ring with unit information on it
is one of the rarest personal items you could own. No
soldier's name associated with the ring.
Approx. size 7. $650
7R - COLORFUL WWII RAINBOW DIVISION RING
Face of the ring has rainbow arch across the top over "RAINBOW
DIVISION". Other writing on the ring reads "ON THE RHINE" with a
19 under each set of words on each side as well. One "19" is
partly worn. Inside band has a silver "800" stamp. Very
excellent overall. Approximate size 9. $75
9R - FINE WWII US ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT RING Standard design employed on most unit/insignia rings.
Face is tall oval surrounded by a deep blue, fired enamel band having
this text, "MEDICAL DEPARTMENT U.S. ARMY". Within this band is a
black oval with a silver caduceus at center. Shoulders have
spread eagles standing on American shields. Fine detail.
Choice condition. Stamped inside "GROUSE CO. / STERLING".
Tough to find better. For the medical officer. Approximate
size 12.5. $95
10R - EXQUISITE WWII STERLING ARMY AIR CORPS RING
Among the very finest designs and artistic construction in our private
collection of at least 1000 military rings. Right half begins
with high relief roll which spills off the right side. It is
faced with a billowing U.S. flag in full color of inlaid, fired
enamel. Left side has flat on top with "U.S.A." over domed full
color fired enamel Air Corps insignia. Inside is stamped "DES
PAT 134630" over "STERLING" and DG logo. Approx size 5.5,
more a pinky ring, or for a woman. Prime
condition. A bit dark. $150
11R - ANOTHER WWII STERLING ARMY AIR CORPS RING
One of the most attractive and innovative WWII patriotic rings we've
encountered.
Right half begins with high
relief roll which spills off the right side. It is faced with a
billowing U.S. flag in full color of inlaid, fired enamel. Left
side has flat on top with "U.S.A." over domed full color fired enamel
Air Corps insignia. Inside is stamped "DES PAT 134630" over "STERLING" and
DG logo. Approx size 11. Prime condition. $150
12R - WWII MINIATURE COAST GUARD ACADEMY "RING" NECKLACE
Gold plated with blue stone, surrounded by the wording "U.S. COAST
GUARD ACADEMY". Shoulders have shield with crossed swords above.
Fascinating piece. Super tiny, made as a ring, but way too small
to wear. Rather, it has a tiny link on the bottom side to
accommodate a delicate chain necklace. Used as a "going steady",
or a sweetheart necklace instead of a big, clunky, full size Academy
ring. The only one I've ever seen in thousands of rings I've
examined and/or purchased over the decades. 5/8" high.
Mint. There is a very tiny stamp inside of two words, too small
to photograph, but can see STERLING and another word hard to make out,
all with magnification. $45
13R - DECORATIVE WWII PATRIOTIC NATIONAL EAGLE RING
Jewelry store, beautiful condition; hefty weight. Top
face is in two layers. The lower layer is dark glass, and top
layer is a full National Emblem...spread eagle, shield, arrows and
olive branch, disc at top representing cloud and stars. Finished
in coppery tone. Sides of ring faced with vertical grooves,
topped with stars. Lots of overall detail. Stamped
"STERLING" inside. Approximate size 9. $45
15R - WWII 13th U.S. INFANTRY BAND ORGANIZATIONAL RING
The top oval is in blue enamel and has silver lettering "13th U.S.
INFANTRY BAND". Center of the top has silver harp against black.
Standard spread eagle on each side. Light wear, mostly on sides. The owner must have been right
handed, because the shield below the eagle on the right side is now
very smooth, probably having rubbed the most. Stamped
"STERLING GROUSE CO." inside band. Approximate
size 8. $50
16R - WWII REALLY DIFFERENT AIR CORPS STERLING RING Never seen another like it and we've collected near 1000 military
rings for our private collection. Top consists of two tall,
flag, narrow ovals, sitting side by side. The left oval has Air
Corps insignia applied. The right oval is undecorated; perhaps
it was meant to have initials engraved on it. The ring body
itself is plain and narrow. Condition is fine. Stamped
STERLING underneath. Approximate size 5.5.
$45
17R - BEAUTIFUL 10K GOLD FILLED U.S. ARMY WWII RING
Top center is a deep wine color stone with a tiny, exquisitely
detailed gold National Eagle emblem. The gilt border to the
stone has raised lettering "UNITED STATES ARMY". Shoulders have
very bold spread eagles. Inside band is stamped "10K GF" and a
couple other characters I can't make out. Shows only a trace of
use, and a little bit of wear on the bottom exterior of the band.
Approximate size 9. A beauty!! $125
18R - PRE-WWII ORGANIZATIONAL RING QM MOTOR TRANSPORT
SCHOOL Standard form. Blue enamel ring reads “QM MOTOR TRANSPORT SCHOOL,
1936, 1937”. Spread wing eagle on both sides, nice and sharp.
Stamped “STERLING C. K. GROUSE”. Moderate wear on top.
Everything is clear. Unit crest at center. Approximate
size 9.5. $50
19R - SUPER DESIRABLE U.S. CBI "CHINA-BURMA-INDIA" RING
Has oval US shield on face done up in the classic fired enamels the
rings and bracelets are known for. Both sides have blue enamel
and silver print. One side says "BURMA/CHINA", the other
"INDIA 1944". Stamped "SILVER" inside. Fine condition. One little enamel chip on India
side. Approximate size 10+. $150
20R - WWII CLASSIC ARMY INFANTRY INSIGNIA RING, with
embellishments Standard design employed on most
unit - insignia rings. Face is tall oval surrounded by a narrow
blue fired enamel band in which is the text "U.S. ARMY INFANTRY".
This encircles a smaller black, fired enamel field with crossed rifles
at center. Shoulders of ring have raised wing eagles on American
Shield, AND with the added "V" and "USA". Very fine overall. Stamped
inside is "GROUSE CO / STERLING". Approximate size 12. $65
21R - WWII 50th ARMORED DIVISION CORPS INSIGNIA STERLING RING
According to online sources, the 50th was activated 5 July 1946,
and deactivated 1 September 1993. It was part of the Army
National Guard. Before 1968, New Jersey supported the 50th, and
was named "JERSEY BLUES". The ring is in really nice condition,
the fired enamel all intact. The tri-color pyramid has the
number 50 at top. The insignia is applied to the mirror bright
backing layer. Sides have conventional spread eagle over
American shields, with crossed swords behind the shield. Marked
STERLING and next to it is a U over top of an arrow. Approximate
size 9. $50
22R - WWII 27th ARMORED DIVISION CORPS INSIGNIA RING
Consists of the tri-color pyramid with 27 in top quadrant.
Shoulders have raised wing eagle over shields. Excellent
condition, with a tiny spot of red missing from the top.
Marked
STERLING and next to it is a U over top of an arrow.
Approximate size
10.75. $50
23R - SCARCE WWII 44th SIGNAL COMPANY UNIT CREST RING
Standard design employed on most unit/insignia rings.
Face is tall oval, surrounded by a narrow blue fired enamel band in
which is this text "44th SIGNAL COMPANY U.S. ARMY". Inner oval
features the unit crest. Sides have spread eagles on American
shields. Medium wear to ring. All wording and eagles
retain detail. Unit crest is difficult to identify even though
it is totally seen. Worn "STERLING / GROUSE", only partially
visible. Approximate size 11. $45
24R - WWII 32nd DIVISION RED ARROW RING
The patch is the Red Arrow, which is also its formal name, The Red
Arrow Division. The arrow insignia on top is composed of three
layers, each a different color. Very attractive ring as well as
rare, and may be hand made. Upon closer look inside, it appears
to have been made from an Australia coin. The word AUSTRALIA is
on the inside band, and other bits of numbers or characters that look
like what would have been on a coin. Approximate size 9.
$120
25R - WWII 32nd DIVISION RED ARROW RING
The patch is the red arrow, which is also its formal name...the
Red Arrow Division. The ring design is Art Deco - the sides have
a horizontal series of what look like bellows, elongating as they go
up. Top has a single long, raised area across the top, which has
red arrows punched through the metal, exposing dark red painted
cavity. Approximate size 9.25. $95
26R - IDENTIFIED WWII 140th INFANTRY
US ARMY RING
Conventional design with the main data "140TH INFANTRY U.S. ARMY"
encircling the center where the unit crest can be seen. The sides have
the usual eagles with shield. The mark inside is "GROUSE CO STERLING".
Also crudely scratched inside the ring (because it's hard to do it on
the curve) is "FEB 1945 PAUL S GROSSMAN",
legible. It was hard to capture it as sharply in the photo, due to the
curve. I have not had a chance to do any research on this soldier.
Very nice shape overall, showing some minor wear upon close
examination. Approximate size 10.5. $75
27R - WWII 84th DIVISION RAIL SPLITTERS RING
Tall oval face with very nicely hand engraved image of an axe stuck in
a heavy tree limb, originally nicknamed the Lincoln Division.
Shoulders of the ring have nice scroll work. Really nice
condition. Approximate size 8. $45
 28R - WWII 64th COAST ARTILLERY
(AA) U.S. ARMY RING Conventional design with
the main data encircling the center where the unit crest can be seen -
"64TH COAST ARTILLERY (AA) / U.S. ARMY" in blue enamel; about 50% of
the enamel is missing, but not seen easily without magnification.
The words "WE AIM HIGH" are under the crest, and it's in great
condition. The sides have the usual eagles and shields, and show
some wear to details. Stamped "STERLING GROUSE CO" inside.
Approximate size 9.25. $85
29R - AN EXQUISITE WWII UNIT RING U.S. ARMY EUROPE
One of the most handsome unit rings we've found, the
insignia for "U.S. ARMY / EUROPE". Top face of ring is a shield
shaped glass rendering of the colorful insignia. The entire
patch has all the colors and designs within it. Each side of the
ring made from deep vertical grooves. Silver quality 935 stamped
inside. Beautiful condition. Lovely colors.
Approximate size 11+. $95
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15R - WWII 13th U.S. INFANTRY BAND ORGANIZATIONAL RING
The top oval is in blue enamel and has silver lettering "13th U.S.
INFANTRY BAND". Center of the top has silver harp against black.
Standard spread eagle on each side. Light wear, mostly on sides. The owner must have been right
handed, because the shield below the eagle on the right side is now
very smooth, probably having rubbed the most. Stamped
"STERLING GROUSE CO." inside band. Approximate
size 8. $50
