Imperial Black Wound Badge

Product Description: This Imperial Black Wound Badge is a nice example. It is made out of stamped steel. The obverse shows only slight wear, with wear to the high points that exposes the gleam of bare metal. About 98 percent of the original factory applied slightly glossy black paint is still intact. The badge is nicely struck, with lots of fine detail. The reverse of this Imperial Black Wound Badge is complete and sound, and has an uncleaned, all original look, with some old dust and patina buildup. The hardware setup is functional and unrepaired, with a sheet metal hinge, and round wire pin and catch. There is no maker mark, which is common for pieces from this era. This badge displays nicely, and is very well-preserved, having apparently been well cared for for over a century. The condition rates a strong excellent plus.

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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