Condition: Very Good
Maker: GWL
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Product Description: This is a beautiful example of a desirable 1936 Pattern Silver Wound Badge. The obverse retains most of the original factory applied silver finish, which has a nice, white, frosted look. Some wear to the high points creates nice visual contrast. The pebbling is very well-defined, and the details in the laurel leaf wreath are crisp. This is a stamped badge, with a hollow reverse that retains an uncleaned patina. There is no maker mark, but this variant of wound badge is known to have been made by the firm of GWL. The hardware is textbook for this variant, with a sheet metal hinge and catch, and round wire attachment pin. The hook part of the catch has broken off, which is common issue with these GWL style catches.This 1936 Pattern Silver Wound Badge has a great look, and displays very handsomely. The condition of this early badge rates as very good.
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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