Gold Wound Badge – GWL Attributed

Product Description: This is a rare and desirable example of a Gold Wound Badge. This is a hard-to-find early Tombak variant, that has only recently been attributed to the firm of GWL. This badge shows some wear and age, with most of the gold finish having faded, though obvious traces remain. The obverse shows toning and patina, with some scattered marks. The pebbling is crisp, and the swastika on the helmet has nice shine. The reverse of this badge is flat and smooth, as is typical for the gold and silver grades of the 1939 wound badges. There is no maker mark. The attachment hardware is intact and functional, with a block hinge, round wire pin, and sheet metal catch. There is no sign of repair. This Gold Wound Badge has a lot going for it, and remains in excellent 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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