Question On G-Burg Image

[Dan Hadley]

I have not seen this previously discussed- if it has, my apologies. The center figure in the G-Burg 3 prisoner image has what looks like 2 rings on the little finger of his left hand, but they are very dark, and I was wondering what they could be made of. I've read of carving rings from buttons, and thought they may be made from the Goodyear patent hard rubber buttons, but the bands appear too wide for that. Any ideas? Again, my apologies if this has been covered.

Dan Hadley

[Rob Walker]

Re: Question On G-Burg Image

I am not sure of the material used for the rings but I wear an original wedding band made of brass and it is almost black from not polishing it. I have other bands that have a nice patina on them but the one I wear at events is pretty dark in color although it does occasionally get a little brite between my fingers. Anyway due to the color and the width the rings in the picture may be brass.

Rob Walker
Co. H
119th NYSV

[SteelCityZouave]

Re: Question On G-Burg Image

From different museums and relic stores I've been to, I've seen rings made of several different types of material. Soldiers made rings in the prisons and in the field out of bone, wood, brass rings, etc. Like Rob said, it could be darkened brass. I hope that helps!

[Dan Hadley]

Re: Question On G-Burg Image

What I find even more puzzling than what the "rings" are made of is how one of them is worn below the middle knuckle, which seems strange. Now THAT I don't recall seeing before in a period photo, and makes me wonder how the heck it would stay on, unless it was extremely snug. It almost looks like the part of the finger between the "rings" is fatter or swollen- possibly a bandage of some sort. That's it- it's a gauze knuckle bandage with black electrical tape on the ends. = )

Dan Hadley

[Rob Walker]

Re: Question On G-Burg Image

I was discussing the possible reason for the two rings of diferent sizes with another AC member(cplpisarski). The picture is of stragglers. It could be that they are scavangers and the subject aquired the rings from another person or body of a smaller or larger size or simply just found them. The subjects of the picture are carrying excessive materials, for example the one wearing a knapsack and blanket roll. Anyway, just a thought about the scavanging thing.

Rob Walker
Co. H
119th NYSV

[Hank Trent]

Re: Question On G-Burg Image

I've read of carving rings from buttons, and thought they may be made from the Goodyear patent hard rubber buttons, but the bands appear too wide for that.

It's possible (not saying I can document that it was actually done historically) to make a hard rubber ring that wide from a hard rubber comb. Cut off the teeth, heat the spine to bend it in a circle, taper the ends and melt them to weld them together, and you've got quite a bit of width to work with, to carve it down smooth.

Hank Trent
Former inmate of Ft. Pulaski
hanktrent@voyager.net