And the winner is.....

[don_kihotis7]

Hi guys, i managed to win this outstanding ring last night at the new auction of Klaus Butschek.
I was bidding on 5-6 items but i was outbid on everything except on this DAK ring.
Collectors are getting overwhelmed and lose their logic during auctions. I can't explain it otherwise. They take it personally, like a fight or a challenge and bid, bid, bid until the price is way off so at the end one lucky-unlucky selfish guy has to pay the bill lol
That's why i am very happy with this ring as i had to pay just a little more than the starting price, which was fair to me.

Here is the description copy/paste from Herr Butscheks' site:

"Luftwaffe JG53 PIK AS ring Afrikakorps
Rare 1941-43 period time ring crafted in North Afrika. The ring shows the emblem of Jagdgeschwader 53 PIK AS on the center and and North African scenery in the background. The material could be silver however it is not marked. A typical North African work. Very rare and certainly unique. A must have for all JG53 collectors.
Good condition. Diameter: 2,1cm."

[don_kihotis7]

Some info on this unit regarding their contribution in Africa:

North Africa

On 1 November 1942, Hauptmann "Tutti" Müller was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of I./JG 53 and led the unit back to the Mediterranean Theater. By November 1942 the entire Geschwader was again concentrated on Sicily for a belated offensive against Malta, in this case an abortive and short-lived blitz foiled by the much-strengthened defenders. During its 1942 operations over North Africa, Sicily and Malta JG 53 had claimed a total of at least 388 aircraft shot down. Hauptmann Gerhard Michalski claimed 25 over Malta (the Luftwaffe's top scorer) Major Günther von Maltzhan claimed 13, while Oblt Franz Schieß claimed 10. With the Allied invasion of French North Africa in November, the Geschwader again found its components separated.
The Tunisian theatre saw several Luftwaffe fighter units thrown into battle ; II./JG 2, III./ZG 2, I./JG 53, II./JG 51 and JG 77 with the Regia Aeronautica’s 155° Gruppo C.T . The Wehrmacht launched its offensive on Kasserine on 14 February 1943, and although the Luftwaffe did its utmost and scored heavily against the Allied fighter cover, lack of resources doomed the Afrika Korps to defeat. The Bf 109-Gs of JG 53 and JG 77 were left alone to defend Tunisia.
III./JG 53 returned from North Africa to Sicily in November, having claimed another 113 air kills, to add to the 61 claimed over Malta earlier in the year. Losses, however, had been heavy, with 14 pilots killed, 3 POW and 7 more badly injured. Obfw. Walter Stumpf (47 kills) was the unit's top scorer, though he was killed by flak on 13 October 1942.
With Allied navies dominating the sea lanes, a vast air supply route was organized between Tunisia and Sicily, I./JG 53 being one of the units organizing escort for the slow transport Junkers Ju-52 aircraft. Here Lt. Crinius quickly recorded another 14 victories, until 13 January 1943, when in combat with RAF Spitfires Crinius’ aircraft was hit and, wounded in the thigh, he ditched his Bf 109 G-2 and was rescued by French sailors, becoming a prisoner of war. Oblt Franz Schieß also claimed 20 kills over Tunisia.
The second half of 1943 saw German forces retreating north through Italy. During these months JG 53 saw continuous action over Italy with losses mounting alarmingly to an unprecedented level coupled with diminishing success. Oblt Franz Schieß, now Staffelkaptän of 8./JG 53 and with 67 claims, was killed in action versus P-38's on 2 September 1943.

Source: wikipedia (Jagdgeschwader 53 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

[don_kihotis7]

And some pics from the internet related to this unit.

[MD Helmets]

So you also thought the winning bids were ludicrous for some of the items? lol. I have been to some auctions where people are almost shouting at one another while bidding. I like winning an item as much as the next guy, but lets not lose our minds. I wanted a nice EKII but holy crapola did they go nuts on those.

[KradSpam]

I was looking at the minty kid's helmet, not for £300 + though.

Nice ring!

[Kevin Grootaers]

Very nice ring. I was bidding on a few pictures and have only 1 won the other went for high prices.

[don_kihotis7]

Hi guys thanks for your replies.
I must admit that Klaus is a very clever guy. He tried the auction style in his website once and i am sure he was also surprised by the "collector's madness". This is a bit sad though coz the highly desirable pieces will be a privilege of the very wealthy collectors, but sometimes if you are blessed you can get a JG53 ring from Africa at a low price

[Wagriff]

I looked at that ring myself-it was the one of the lot that really "jumped" out at me. A Super ring and a great price as well! Nice catch!

[LizardKing]

Hey mate... How do you know that this is the real deal? I'm asking this because i've read that rings are a bit of a minefield...

[MD Helmets]

Hi guys thanks for your replies.
I must admit that Klaus is a very clever guy. He tried the auction style in his website once and i am sure he was also surprised by the "collector's madness". This is a bit sad though coz the highly desirable pieces will be a privilege of the very wealthy collectors, but sometimes if you are blessed you can get a JG53 ring from Africa at a low price

Some of the starting bids were more than I would have paid for the item retail. The blank, unused photo albums at what, $4-500? Good Lord. Even some of the photos. I would have taken a stab at some items but with the premium factored in and shipping, just too much. Anyway, dont want to turn this into a bashing session because thats not what it is. Im sure Klaus is a nice gentleman and I have done business a few times with great satisfaction.