This is only the third time we’ve been able to offer this rare prototype. Our first N. Mint example sold for $3,253. Our second example sold for $3,499. This ring was designed in 1940 by Orin Armstrong of the Robbins Co. which specialized in premium rings. Information from the original owner of our second example explains why the ring was never produced for distribution. That ring came from a Detroit, (the Lone Ranger’s ‘home’ city) advertising agency man who said the ring was intended as a “secret compartment” ring to be offered to sponsors of the radio program. The ring was rejected and never put into mass production because it could not be worn with the prongs which hold the top cover to the base sticking straight down as this was uncomfortable and dangerous to the wearer’s finger. If the prongs were bent flat along the underside, then it became impossible to remove the secret compartment cover without straightening the prongs each time. The photos of The Lone Ranger and Silver inside the top are an added attraction to the secret compartment feature. The design problems were eventually resolved in 1942 when The Lone Ranger military rings were issued which also carry 2 pictures but the secret compartment became a slide-off top (see next 2 lots). This prototype ring has a base with star and chevron design identical to the Lone Ranger National Defenders look-around ring. The same design was used as early as 1939 by Orphan Annie as the Mystic-Eye Detective Ring. Mounted on the top of this prototype ring base is a 3/8” tall crisp real photo (without dot pattern) of Silver. Mounted on the underside of the removable secret compartment is a matching glossy real photo of The Lone Ranger in mask and hat with tiny text on his bandana consisting of a copyright symbol and “1939 The Lone Ranger, Inc.” With casual viewing, the entire ring has glossy brass luster but under close scrutiny about 75% of the lustrous flashing is gone revealing the clean and glossy brass metal below. The exterior of the removable top does still retain about 70% of the lustrous flashing. The pair of photos consist of a Mint image of Silver with N. Mint image of Lone Ranger which has just a pinpoint white speck off its very top edge. Overall VF with Mint and N. Mint photos. Only our third example.