Black Wound Badge in Brass

Product Description: This Black Wound Badge in Brass is a nice example of a desirable early badge, that almost certainly was worn on a soldier’s uniform. The obverse shows lots of wear, with the factory applied black paint finish worn away from the high points of the design. Remnants of the paint in the recesses contrast nicely with the exposed Tombak. The bare metal shows age toning, and there is a built up old patina with what looks like traces of dirt from field wear. The reverse of this badge also has some old uncleaned dirt and patina, and retains most of the original paint. There is no manufacturer marking, as is typical for these early brass based pieces. The hardware setup is functional and all original, with a block hinge and round wire pin. The catch is bent, another clue that this was worn on a uniform- one can imagine it being roughly removed by a souvenir-hunting GI. This Black Wound Badge in Brass has a great, combat worn look, and remains in very good condition.

Historical Description: The German Wound Badge was instituted during the First World War to recognize those wounded in the conflict. It was designed using a World War One style Imperial German helmet as the main motif. The helmet was set on top two crossed swords against a pebbled background and surrounded by a laurel leaves wreath.

During the Spanish Civil War, the Third Reich reinstated the Wound Badge for a short period to honor those who were wounded during the conflict from 1936 to 1939. These German units participating in the assistance of the Spanish Fascists were deemed the “Condor Legion”. The pattern of the World War One Wound Badge was again used, except this time with a raised swastika on the center of the World War One era helmet.

At the outbreak of war in September 1939 with Poland, Adolf Hitler once again reinstated the Wound Badge Award. Again, the pattern of the badge was similar to that of the earlier style except the new design was freshened up a bit by using an M35 pattern German helmet and a slightly softer looking wreath. This pattern was used until the end of the war in 1945. It is impossible to know the exact numbers of wound badges awarded during the course of the Second World War due to the vast scale and countless individuals who were wounded or killed in the conflict.

The Wound Badge Awards came in three different types of grades representing the amount, or severity, of wounds received. The first grade, the Black Wound Badge was awarded for 1 to 2 wounds received in combat. The Silver Grade was awarded for 3 to 4 wounds, and finally the Gold Grade for 5 or more wounds, total disability, or death.

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