Pinky Rings

[tsgalloway]

Within the next few months I'm going to fabricate (cast) a gold pinky ring. Does anyone have any close-up photos of period pinky rings? I'd prefer to make mine with some sort of design. I know that pinky rings were relatively popular in society during the mid-1800s. Many were made of brass or were gold plated so, I know that my ring would be more suited for someone more affluent.

What about signet rings? They were popular with the European nobility, normally bearing the family crest. Would they be suited for a well-to-do soldier or citizen (in the States)? Does anyone have any good images of such rings? Any pointers or info would be very helpful.

[tsgalloway]

As I recall, Patrick Reardon of the Lazy Jacks wears a signet ring on his pinky. I think he was wearing it when I was in his unit at Corinth in 2005. I assume it may be his family crest/seal. He may be able to enlighten me. I'll shoot him a PM. Any advice is welcome.

[jgr1974]

Though this is an area in the hobby that needs great amount of research done on it, I will make a suggestion or two. I would suggest a Fraternal society if you are a part of one, Maybe a school you attended Yale Harvard-military accademy religous icons at at least a shield shaped ring with flat face to have your initial of your last name engraved. These were called signets.

Just my Two cents

The Mad MIck!!!

[tsgalloway]

Thanks for the ideas. I know some of the options, but I'd like my creation to be based on an original...one that there is an example of.

The following thread is pretty decent and has some examples, but most are in relic condition and the pre-dug details can't be made out: http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=677&highlight=pinky+ring

[fahtz]

I have studied/owned/handled period bone rings. Bone was also a popular material for these pinkie rings. Crests, shields, corps badges, initials, floral designs, and just plain were all common motifs for these rings. Several gold examples I have seen have things carved into them AFTER they were cast. You might go that route, so you can have the ability to make more than one.

[Shockoe Hill Cats]

This is a member of the 60th Virginia (written on the inside brim) sporting two rings on both pinky fingers. Sorry the image isn't close-up enough. As I recall, they just appeared to be plain, gold bands.

And I thought I remembered seeing a ring on Col. H.T. Collis... Violá! I am correct!

"Officers of 114th Pa. Infantry in front of Petersburg, August 1864."
LC-B817-7316

[tsgalloway]

And I thought I remembered seeing a ring on Col. H.T. Collis... Violá! I am correct!


It appears that the good colonel's ring has some sort of design on it. Alas, it is illegible.

[tsgalloway]

I have studied/owned/handled period bone rings. Bone was also a popular material for these pinkie rings. Crests, shields, corps badges, initials, floral designs, and just plain were all common motifs for these rings. Several gold examples I have seen have things carved into them AFTER they were cast. You might go that route, so you can have the ability to make more than one.

I'd prefer to stick with gold, as I have a supply of the material and am interested in the casting process. Do you know how those gold rings were carved? Do you have any images of the carved originals? I'm not sure I currently possess the skills to carve post casting...but I can carve wax to make the initial model to make the cast. Thanks for your thoughts, Mitch.

[Tarheel]

Tristan,
Sent you a pm in reply to yours. Please feel free to broadcast it on this Forum if you consider it would be useful. The subject is a mixture of heraldry and geneology and is quite complex but a proper signet ring would be engraved (Seal Engraved) as noted in my pm. Glad to help futher if I can.
With best wishes to all for 2008.
Patrick Reardon,
The Lazy Jack Mess, UK

[Shantyman]

I do recolect seeing a picture of a West Point ring in a Herf Jones catalog with an insert about it being from the Civil War, I know thats a bit off topic but I hope it helps.

[dnaples]

Here is a picture of Francis E. Brownell (aka Ellsworth's Avenger) of the 11th NY wearing a pinky ring. There is also a close up of the ring on Marc Hermann's website about the 11th NY, http://www.myrtle-avenue.com/firezou/impression.html.

[zouavecampaigner]

This is a member of the 60th Virginia (written on the inside brim) sporting two rings on both pinky fingers. Sorry the image isn't close-up enough. As I recall, they just appeared to be plain, gold bands.

And I thought I remembered seeing a ring on Col. H.T. Collis... Violá! I am correct!

"Officers of 114th Pa. Infantry in front of Petersburg, August 1864."
LC-B817-7316



Jason,

the pinky ring was a fad in the 114th, and there's a number of photos of guys wearing them. They seem to all be the younger fellows, too. There's a couple wedding rings in there, too, but more pinky rings haha.

Regards,

[tsgalloway]

"Dear Tristan,
Good to hear from you. The correct term is Signet Ring and traditionally they were engraved (Seal Engraved) with one's family crest which is the device above one's family coat of arms. Traditionally, coats of arms were granted by the Monarch to families of distinction for services to the crown or upon their elevation to the various levels of gentry and aristocracy. Historically the ring was a mark of identity when used to impress the crest device into liquid sealing wax to seal important documents or correspondance. They are now a kind of emblem of social status (all a bit redundant in the 21st century!!!!!!) but I've worn one since my father gave me my grandfather's when I was eighteen. In the UK they are traditionally worn on the little (pinky) finger of the left hand. Mine bears our family crest of a dolphin although I believe sometimes crests could vary from generation to generation.
Seal Engraving is extremely intricate and detailed; a specialist engraving technique and to have a ring made is not cheap!!!
There seem to be two types. One being solid gold; the other being gold with an inset hard, semi-precious stone into which the crest was engraved. Hope this helps, let me know if I can assist further. All the best, Patrick"


This was sent to me by Patrick Reardon. Thanks for the info!

[tsgalloway]

Does anyone own an original and be willing to share pictures? Does anyone have any detailed photos of a pinky ring with a design? Signet ring?

[tsgalloway]

Here are some of my thoughts on a potential Signet Ring...I have my family letterhead bearing our family crest (dating from 1631). Where would I look to have some sort of custom die made (maybe "engraved" hardened plastic or a cheaper metal would do) so I can make an impression of it and cast it in gold?

[fahtz]

Tristan,
I just figured out I met you at Corinth a few years ago! Anyway in response to you ring request. There are two bone rings currently on ebay. Both of which are simple rings carved from probably a soup bone.

It isn't all that hard to carve on a soup bone man! I have found the hardest part is finding a soup bone with the right inside diameter after you carve out all the stuff. And it is cheaper than gold!

[tsgalloway]

Yeah, Mitch. I remember you quite well. I may give the soupbone carving a try (found a few on eBay and may pick up a few). I'm in dental school and recently obtained about $1000 dollars worth of gold for free (so material isn't an issue). We have to cast gold crowns which is identical to the jewelry making process.

[Justin Runyon]

It's a big thread to wade through, but there are at least two fine ring examples in the thread linked below. One of them is mine (original) the other is Pat Craddocks. As they are Masonic rings, they may not be directly applicable to you, but they are examples none the less.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11795&highlight=Masonic+Material+Culture

[Bushrod Carter]

Tristan,

To help you out with the thread Mr. Runyon has suggested:

A photo of his pinky ring can be found at Post #45 on page 5 of the thread,

and mine is pictured in post #123 on page 13 of the thread.

Hope these are of some help.

[fahtz]

Tristan,
Take a look at this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180206820217

[jgr1974]

That was a nice one!!! I seen it, but buying sash buckles right now so couldn't afford it too!!! (By the way, I am intersted in civilian sash buckles and jewelry if anyone has them for sale!) I have ben studying the jewelry making process. While looking for material and tools I came about a company which sold the brass and copper rings. I can get them really reasonable if anyone is interested!!! I need to learning the plating process yet though. So they are unplated at this point!!!

The Mad MIck!!!

[fahtz]

If you are all adding 2 plus 2...I now own that bone carved ring....

[Bushrod Carter]

Mitch, very cool! Do it fit?

[fahtz]

Pat,
It just shipped today. I am fairly certain it will fit on my pinky... Of course if it doesn't, or the times it is not in use it will be in the cabinet with the other bone and human hair personal accessories I own.

[tsgalloway]

Nice, Mitch. I noticed that fahtz was the winner. After your tip, I purchased 12 vintage bone rings for 12 dollars on eBay. I may try my hand at carving a few of them (from the pics, I may try to copy yours). Thanks for the heads-up. Have you come across any other such intricately designed bone rings (with good pics of course)? BTW, I did read your first post about floral designs, etc...

[tsgalloway]

Tristan,

To help you out with the thread Mr. Runyon has suggested:

A photo of his pinky ring can be found at Post #45 on page 5 of the thread,

and mine is pictured in post #123 on page 13 of the thread.

Hope these are of some help.

Thanks for sharing your rings with us. I appreciate it. I'm interested in any and all designs.

[tsgalloway]

It's a big thread to wade through, but there are at least two fine ring examples in the thread linked below. One of them is mine (original) the other is Pat Craddocks. As they are Masonic rings, they may not be directly applicable to you, but they are examples none the less.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11795&highlight=Masonic+Material+Culture


Justin, is this similar to your ring? It appears to be so. I may try to cast one along this line. I'm still weighing my options.

[fahtz]

Tristan,
Here you go, this ring is a more simple design. http://pages.gunsightantiques.com/5052/PictPage/1921787295.html It is a basic initial carving and ink or some other sort of pigment was put into the carving. Nice ring, in fact this is what I based my first bone ring on.

[Justin Runyon]

Tristan,

That is similar in shape with a few excepions. Mine is solid rose gold, and the top is actually pink shell that has been enamled white, then carved exposing the rosy pink again. The process has an Itallian name...cuerillian[sic] or something along those lines (sorry, I just speak German).

[tsgalloway]

Very, very neat.

[fahtz]

Just got my carved bone federal shield ring in the mail today. It is possibly the BEST carved bone ring I have ever owned/seen/handled. It is too small for my fat man hands to wear however, so off the the collection it goes!

[Professor Barclay]

Tristan, I purchased a gold pinky ring that I've gotten dated back to around the early 1870's...that's as accurate as I've been able to find. The gold rings from the period that I've found (including my own) have all had flaws (bumps in the narrow portion, indentions in the gold, etc) so they weren't 'perfect'. Also, they are very much thinner than rings that we're used to almost to the point of being 'dainty'. All of the photos that I've seen here have backed that point up.

Rick

[Foggy Bottom Jim]

The famous picture of Confederates captured at Gettysburgs shows one gentleman wearing two pinky rings on one hand. Hopefully it is attached.

[Mcguire]

The famous picture of Confederates captured at Gettysburgs shows one gentleman wearing two pinky rings on one hand. Hopefully it is attached.

As I read through this thread this was the first image I thought of and was wondering why noone had referred to it when I got to the last post and there it was. Someone once told me that in all likelyhood these were made of gutta percha.

[tsgalloway]

I got some period bone rings in the mail today, but they were a bit too small for me...Thanks for the advice. I may make a non-descript gold ring in the near future, as well as tackle the task of creating a signet ring for myself. Any additional info is welcome.