WWI Silver Wound Badge

Product Description: This WWI Silver Wound Badge is an exceptional and highly appealing example of this classic German combat decoration. Tombak struck in the typical hollow-back style of the era, this piece exhibits a sharp, well-executed strike with outstanding detail to the obverse, including finely rendered stippling and crisp edge definition. The original silver finish remains largely intact on the front, offering a pleasing, lightly worn luster that enhances its visual appeal. The reverse displays a uniform, untouched age patina, lending further authenticity to this century-old piece. The hardware setup is textbook and entirely original, featuring a barrel hinge, round wire pin, and catch—each fully functional and free from any repairs or tampering. There is no evidence of cleaning or alteration; this is simply a well-preserved, untouched example of the Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber, awarded to soldiers wounded three or four times. A true collector-grade piece, this badge offers both historic significance and excellent visual character. Condition rates as excellent.

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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