1936 Pattern Silver Wound Badge

Product Description: This 1936 pattern Silver Wound Badge is a beautiful and apparently worn example, with great character and eye appeal. It’s made of a stamped brass alloy (Tombak). The finish is made with a high content of real silver, and this has toned dark with time, giving this silver grade badge an almost black appearance. The toning and patina are attractive, with nice pastel tones. Some wear to high points reveals the golden gleam of the base metal. All of the original detail remains intact. The reverse is hollow, with a deep, uncleaned patina to the intact original silver finish. The hardware setup is functional, with no repairs, and features a round wire pin, and a soldered pin and catch. This 1936 pattern Silver Wound Badge is a choice, untouched and all-original piece. The 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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