DATE: WW1, 1914
An antique iron ring dating from the first World War. The band of iron, encased in a 14k rose gold inner with the words "Gold gab ich für Eisen 1914 O.S.K." translating to I Gave Gold For Iron engraved to the band. On the inside of the band, "Mit Willen Dein Eingen", loosely translating to "With Your Own Will" is engraved.
In an effort to raise money to fight the first world war, the Austro-Hungarian empire had an idea from 100 years earlier: request that citizens donated their gold jewellery to the government in exchange for iron jewellery. The first time round, between 1813 and 1815, the Prussian royal family urged all citizens to contribute gold and silver towards funding an uprising against Napoleon. In exchange, they would be given iron jewellery (known as Berlin Iron). The owner, presumably after the war, chose to add a gold inner section to make it more wearable. Wearing the iron jewellery was a statement of your commitment to the country, and many chose to continue wearing such rings long after the war was over.
MEASUREMENTS
Size: 7
Width of band: 7.3mm
Rise off finger: 1.4mm
WEIGHT
3.98g
MARKS
No marks present, tests as 14k gold
CONDITION
Good, slight wear to the edges of the gold band
