Luftwaffe Observer Ring

**Horst** · 06-01-2010, 09:38 PM

Luftwaffen Observer ring with nice detail also maker marked "Alpacca" -
Horst

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 06-01-2010 09:38 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**sitges1990** · 06-02-2010, 12:01 AM

Hi horst, the detail on the eagle is extrodinary. I think the Alpacca stands for the metal alloy the ring is made of. I had heard it called German silver before. Apparently it's a silver alloy that works somewhat like stainless. I know it was used in coins and jewelry from the mid 1800's on. Beautiful ring, thanks for showing.

Jay

**Horst** · 06-02-2010, 02:19 PM

Jay - Glad you like it - your right it is the material the ring is made of.
Horst

**colt45** · 06-03-2010, 11:52 AM

nice ring! is that my size?

**odal** · 06-03-2010, 05:36 PM

Hi!

I have exact the same ring in my little ring-collection. I baught it some times ago and i will hold it.
But i am not really sure that it is from the period.
In this pattern are different opinions around - some ring collectors think all rings with this shoulder-decor are fakes/fantasy.

I myself hold my ring untill i know sure that is from period or not.
At all a nice looking ring!

**don_kihotis7** · 01-09-2011, 12:28 PM

Nice ring

**SteveR** · 01-09-2011, 09:06 PM

by sitges1990

Hi horst, the detail on the eagle is extrodinary. I think the Alpacca stands for the metal alloy the ring is made of. I had heard it called German silver before. Apparently it's a silver alloy that works somewhat like stainless. I know it was used in coins and jewelry from the mid 1800's on. Beautiful ring, thanks for showing.

Jay

Alpacca
German silver
Nickel silver..... are all the same thing which is an alloy of :
copper.........60%
nickle...........20%
zinc.............20%

The alloy first came from China in the 16th century and was known as "paktong".
The Germans figured out the composition of nickle silver in 1770, ergo "German silver" and started using it for a variety of different items including coinage, jewelry, frets on stringed instruments, horns and numerious parts and pieces of a variety of items.
There is NO silver in it. It was an alloy developed to resemble silver in the far east.
Just an add on.
Today you see a lot of commercial silver from China called "Tibetan silver" which in reality is 20% silver and 80% zinc. To me not worth buying.
SteveR