I have made a reproduction of the West Point Class of May 1861, class ring for myself and was wondering if there is any demand for this kind of thing. About 15 years ago, I gained access to the original so that I could make a copy of it for a movie that was being filmed at the time. What I have done here is a faithful re-production of that ring, which I have carved by hand. It has not been from molds taken off of the original. But, It comes very close to the original in authenticity. I am not marketing it at this time. But, I have a web site where you may view it. Any comments are appreciated. See "www.1861ring.com"
thanks
Craig

I strongly advise you to read the Terms of Service and Discussion Forum Basics before posting again. "Hot" links outside of Military.com are not allowed. I also will not tolerate any advertising or soliciting on these boards (Terms of Service, Paragraph 6, Section vii). This is the only warning I will give.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: USNVet940,

STOP STOP STOP STOP AT once!!!!!!! Copying West Point rings is NOT legal!!!!!!! Even if yours is a close but not an exact copy. Yes, there is a market for this, but about 12 years ago there was a gent making copies, close copies, of West Point rings from the CW era. The FBI and DOA got wind of it and shut him down and confiscated all the rings!! They went to the people he'd sold them to and seized those also! STOP! Cease and desist!!

quote:

Originally posted by 8693891:
I have made a reproduction of the West Point Class of May 1861, class ring for myself and was wondering if there is any demand for this kind of thing. About 15 years ago, I gained access to the original so that I could make a copy of it for a movie that was being filmed at the time. What I have done here is a faithful re-production of that ring, which I have carved by hand. It has not been from molds taken off of the original. But, It comes very close to the original in authenticity. I am not marketing it at this time. But, I have a web site where you may view it. Any comments are appreciated. See http://www.1861ring.com/
thanks
Craig

I agree with JPOPOE, I would stop untill I checked with the F.B.I.,Providing you havn't already. You should also include a disclaimer that stipulates that they are reproductions. Perhaps stamping them on the inside of the band with,COPY. I have some coinage that is so stamped. West point may have something to say about your venture. GOOD LUCK.

I to agree that you need to check into the legalities of your venture or you could be making big rocks into little rocks as well as be out a whole lot of green backs.
I'm sorry I myself couldn't be a ring knocker in reenactments.

Guys, many years ago I first ran into this situation when I started to do my portrayal of JEB Stuart. I thought it would only be fitting to have something that was close to the type of West Point class ring to wear when I did the general. I did some checking and found out the design that was favored by his class and what finger of what hand they wore the ring on.
A friend of mine who has been doing Custer for many years was thinking along the same line.
Especially for an 1861 class ring.
I contacted a long time re-enactor friend who was a jeweller down south in Virginia.
He said that that was a NO NO that NO one was authorized to make any kind of ring that resembled any of the West Point sytle class rings. He told me the US Code law that states the legalities of this. But it has been so long that I can't remember it or where to go to get it.
Then about twelve years ago the gent I mentioned in my other post advertised in either the VFW or American Legion magazines and that is how he got caught!
I have seen and worn a West Point ring when I did the general on four occasions. But it was not an 185o's vintage ring. It was in the style they favored but was not a hundred and so years old. I will not mention the gent who lent it to me, because it now resides on his hand with him in his coffin. He was a very good and trusted friend and I STILL miss him tremendously.
Inthe twenty years I served on active duty, there were NOT many "ringknockers" that I came in contact with that I liked.

quote:

Originally posted by bangfxr:
I to agree that you need to check into the legalities of your venture or you could be making big rocks into little rocks as well as be out a whole lot of green backs.
I'm sorry I myself couldn't be a ring knocker in reenactments.

Me neither. I was an ordnance SGT. I think what Darryl is reffering to would be patent & copyright infringement's. If the ring was a modern style it could be considered stolen valor. A lot of this hysteria can be traced back to the W.P.P.A.

Of the 30 years I've been in I've met a lot of ringknockers and there were only 3 West Pointers who I liked and respected as not only officers but as men and they didn't knock thier rings. Reason is thier fathers came up through the ranks as enlisted. My old BC his dad was a WWI & II vet in the Infy I met once and the man stated " If my boy gets out of hand let me know and I'll knock him down a notch or two" I would not put it past the old man.

I feel the same way. Most of the Annapolis men I met were A--H---'s. The Mustangers were OK. I had an almost total distane for the knockers, with verry few exceptions. Happy New year Bang's

Ordmate, JPOPE and all the other comrades in arms May you all have a Safe and Happy New Year so as we may drink from the same canteen the upcoming year.

Same to you my friends. May God bless you in ways you never knew possible!

Gentlemen;
Just to set the record straight on a number of issues here. I DID NOT deliberately post a hot link to my message. How the word that is linked to the Dell site became a hot link is beyond my understanding. I simply used the word in my post, and somehow, (maybe through resident spyware)it became that link. I honestly don't know.
As for my soliciting. That too was never my intention here. I simply asked for opinions. The site that I mentioned is simply a test site that was meant to test the waters for interest before I invested money in a shopping basket and banner ads on Military.com. If that's a crime...well then, I'm guilty as charged. It most certainly will not happen again as this is to be my last post.
Next issue;
Some very inaccurate information was posted about my good friend who was the jeweler that JPope is talking about. My friend was granted access to the rings for the production of movie props. That much is true. But that is all the truth that JPope's statement contained about us. There was never any FBI investigation or investigation by any other law enforcement body. No rings were ever confiscated from us or our customers and we were never shut down by anyone. We quit making the rings because we became too involved with other business interesets to be bothered with them. Mike has a company that builds CNC milling machines and I have a consulting company that inspects turbine engines for companys who are purchasing used commercial aircraft or engines. The rings are small potatoes for us.
It is not illegal to make reproductions of the 1861 class rings. Check with the US Copyright office before citing nebulous, unidentifiable sources. We did. The pertinent documents are available for viewing on the internet. I will not give the site here as it may be construed as soliciting or attaching another link. However, those interested in it my find it via most search engines.
The USMA never owned the copyright to those rings, as they were designed and paid for by the graduates themselves.
However, in recent decades, measures have been taken by the students to protect the right to wear the recently issued rings. This information too is available on the internet.
Now; Thanks to ordmate for the helpful advice. I hadn't thought to stamp reproduction inside the band. But I will have the stamp made and will clearly mark any ring that I make in the future. You are absolutely right. Such things should be clearly marked so as to avoid fraud. My intention was to make them available for reenactors and collectors of recreations...Not to deceive anyone.
Cheers
Craig

Craig
Good luck with your venture. I'm sure there are many reenactors that would love to have one if the price is right.
Happy new year
Chuck

Gentleman, I may be wrong and if so, let me most hardily apologize. What I was told from my jeweller friend was echoed from two very reliable sources, both US Army officers.
Now if they are wrong so be it.
Good luck, in yuor venture