Early custom manufacture by the jeweler Gahr in Munich, soldered under the separately applied death's head, inside with dedication engraving “S.lb. Dietrich 24. XII. 33 H. Himmler”. Only very lightly worn, the contours and toning very well preserved, diameter 19.1 mm. Condition 2++. The details and quality of the ring as one of the first 12 rings produced by Otto Gahr is still considerably better and finer than the later series-produced SS Death's Head rings, the engraving on the inside is not only different with the month as “XII.” instead of “12.”, but also somewhat finer in quality than that of the later rings, probably still partly hand-engraved.
The ring is illustrated in the specialist book by Martin Toman “SS-Totenkopfring” on pages 300 - 319, with 3 photos showing Dietrich wearing this ring.
Accompanied by a photo expert opinion from the internationally recognized expert Don Boyle, USA from 2017.

This ring comes directly from Sepp Dietrich's house in Karlsruhe. During the Malmedy Trial in 1946, the house, which was located in the French occupation zone, was searched by French soldiers for usable documents for the trial. During this search, the ring fell into the hands of a non-commissioned officer as personal “war booty”. In 2016, the grandson of the French veteran contacted an Italian friend of ours, with whom we were able to acquire the ring from the family. After several years in a private collection, we are pleased to be able to offer the ring again.

This is one of the first SS Death's Head rings awarded by Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler at Christmas 1933 to 12 of his selected highest-ranking SS leaders. Of the 12 ring recipients known to date:
SS-Obergruppenführer Franz Xavier Schwarz, at Christmas 1933 as SS-Obergruppenführer (located in a German private collection)
SS-Obergruppenführer Karl Wolff, at Christmas 1933 as SS-Sturmbannführer. His Death's Head ring is illustrated in the specialist book by Craig Gottlieb “The SS Totenkopf Ring” on page 43.
SS-Brigadeführer Fritz Schlegel, at Christmas 1933 as SS-Oberführer
SS-Obergruppenführer Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski, at Christmas 1933 as SS-Brigadeführer
SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Reck
SS-Obergruppenführer Walter Darré
SS-Sturmbannführer Ulrich Graf (Hitler's lifesaver at the March on the Feldherrnhalle on November 9, 1923)
as well as SS-Oberstgruppenführer Sepp Dietrich, at Christmas 1933 as SS-Gruppenführer
and Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler himself (very likely with a different engraving).

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SS Death's Head Ring from the Personal Property of SS-Oberstgruppenführer Sepp Dietrich

The SS-Totenkopfring, also known as the SS-Ehrenring (SS Honor Ring), stands among the most symbolically charged and enigmatic awards of National Socialist Germany. Unlike state decorations, this was a personal gift from Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, reflecting his fascination with Germanic mysticism and pseudo-occult symbolism.

The concept derived from pagan German mythology, specifically Thor's pure silver oath ring and the runic carvings on Wotan's spear. The ring was manufactured exclusively by Otto and Karolina Gahr, a family jewelry firm in Munich. The design was created by Karl Maria Wiligut, an SS-Brigadeführer and Austrian occultist who shared Himmler's interest in connecting the SS to pre-Christian Germanic roots.

The first rings were presented on Christmas Eve 1933 to approximately twelve high-ranking SS leaders. Documented recipients of this initial presentation included SS-Oberstgruppenführer Franz Xaver Schwarz, SS-Obergruppenführer Karl Wolff (on 24 December 1933 as SS-Sturmbannführer), SS-Brigadeführer Fritz Schlegel, SS-Obergruppenführer Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski (on 24 December 1933 as SS-Brigadeführer), SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Reck, SS-Obergruppenführer Walter Darré, SS-Sturmbannführer Ulrich Graf (Hitler's protector during the 9 November 1923 Beer Hall Putsch), SS-Oberstgruppenführer Sepp Dietrich (on 24 December 1933 as SS-Gruppenführer), and Reinhard Heydrich, who received his ring on 24 December 1933. Himmler himself likely wore a ring with a variant inscription.

The official foundation date was 9 November 1933, while formal regulations were issued on 10 April 1934. The early rings made by Otto Gahr in 1933 were custom-made pieces with considerably higher quality and finer details than the later series-produced rings. A characteristic feature of these early rings was the use of Roman numerals for the month in the interior engraving (XII rather than 12).

The ring itself was composed of ninety percent silver, cast in two halves and then hand-finished. The exterior displayed a Totenkopf (death's head), two Sig runes (each in a triangle), a Hagal rune (in a hexagon), a swastika (in a square or diamond), and double Heilszeichen runes (in a circle on the rear), all set against a field of oak leaves. The interior was engraved with the abbreviation “S.lb.” (for “Seinem lieben” meaning “To Dear”), the recipient's surname, the award date in day.month.year format, and a facsimile of Himmler's signature.

Initially, the ring was reserved for senior officers of the Old Guard (Alte Kämpfer) with SS membership numbers below 5,000, recognizing personal achievement, devotion to duty, and loyalty to the Führer. By 1939, eligibility had expanded to all SS officers with at least three years of service and impeccable records. From September 1936, rings could only be conferred on four specific dates: 20 April (Hitler's birthday), 21 June (Summer Solstice), 9 November (Anniversary of the Beer Hall Putsch), and 21 December (Winter Solstice).

Recipients received a citation stating that the ring symbolized loyalty, obedience, and comradeship. It was to be worn only on the left hand ring finger. If dismissed, retired, or upon death, the ring had to be returned to the SS Personalhauptamt. From 1938 onward, rings of deceased holders were preserved at the “Schrein des Inhabers des Totenkopfringes” (Shrine to Holders of the Death's Head Ring) at Wewelsburg Castle as a memorial. Unauthorized duplicates were forbidden and punishable by law, though some SS and police members had local jewelers make unofficial versions.

Between 1934 and 1944, approximately 14,500 to 15,000 rings were awarded. Production and presentation were cancelled on 17 October 1944. By January 1945, approximately sixty-four percent (around 9,200) had been returned to Wewelsburg upon the holders' deaths, ten percent were lost on the battlefield, and twenty-six percent (approximately 3,500) were still in possession of holders or unaccounted for. In March 1945, on Himmler's orders, approximately 11,500 remaining rings were blast-sealed inside a hill near Wewelsburg Castle to prevent Allied capture; they have never been found. British forces recovered only approximately 200 rings from the Wewelsburg premises.

Many surviving rings were confiscated by Allied forces from captured SS personnel or taken from the properties of deceased or imprisoned SS officers. Less than one percent of the total rings have surfaced since the war. Surviving authentic rings are extremely rare collectors' items, and numerous counterfeits exist. Modern trade in Nazi memorabilia is accompanied by significant legal and ethical concerns.