9ct Yellow Gold WW2 Utility Wedding Band – Birmingham 1942

Description

A charming original WW2 vintage wedding ring; in low court profile with smooth slightly curved interior for comfort.

This ring is fully hallmarked for Birmingham England 1942, but made extra special by the presence of the utility mark which was only in use for eleven years up until 1953 following the end of the war. British couples at this time were subject to rationing; even for a wedding and particularly for the rings as precious metals were in short supply and needed for the war effort.

New gold wedding rings were heavily controlled and could only be 9ct yellow gold (previously convention had been 22ct), of narrower gauge, and up to a maximum of 3grams. Often demand outstripped supply with resourceful couples having to scour for antique rings; some brides ending up with platinum only to wish for yellow gold which was the most desirable look for the era! That makes this particular early utility ring a wonderful survivor in such great condition and highly collectible.

For a charming first hand account of one such ‘utility’ wedding take a look at this lovely memory from Nellie Hackney who recollected her Utility wedding for the BBC and remembered her ring cost £1 and 10 shillings – https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/18/a7935618.shtml

This would of course make a great wedding ring but also looks fabulous as a stacking or keeper ring, especially worn on the index finger for a more modern twist. 

ERA: WW2

MAKER: ‘HS’

SIZE: U.S. size 7.25 / UK size ‘O’. Ring is 2mm wide.

WEIGHT: 2.3grams

MATERIAL: 9ct yellow gold – full hallmark for Birmingham 1942 and bears the double parenthesis () denoting a Utility Ring

CONDITION: Great vintage condition – minimal signs of wear such that it barely looks worn apart from the lightest of surface wear. Very slight join line at original manufacturing (see last pic). Hallmarks and nice and crisp.

SHIPPING: Free inside the U.S. or to the UK – see FAQs for shipping and customs details

TAGS: 9ct Yellow Gold WW2 Utility Wedding Band – Birmingham 1942