A World War I era ring, given to people who gave money or gold to the German government for the war effort. This ring features a black cross - the emblem of the German Army since 1871; and oak leaves - the national tree of Germany which symbolizes strength, endurance, and knowledge. It is engraved on the inside "GAB ICH IN SCHWERE ZEIT IHM GOLD FUR DIESES EISEN DEM ALTEN VATERLAND DIE TREUE ZU BEWEISEN". This translates to "In hard times I gave Him gold for this iron to prove my loyalty to the old Fatherland". It is dated 1914 - the year Germany declared war on Russia and started World War I. It is marked on the inside "PAT. NOV. 24, 1914" and on one side "DHG" - (Deutsche Heimate Gruppe - German Homeland Group). This ring was made in America for people of German descent to show support for the German Homeland. Germany started the war in 1914 and we didn't enter until 1917. Before 1915 and the sinking of the Lusitania most Americans wanted to stay out of the war. Before the war, (especially in the big cities of the east coast) people living in America of German descent still felt a lot of loyalty to Germany and strongly identified as German. The American population was still fairly tribal, not truly melted into one people yet. This ring would have been a proud possession of a German-American to show support for the German people left behind in the Homeland. It is in excellent condition and is a size 14.

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