Black Wound Badge in Brass

Product Description: This Black Wound Badge in Brass is a nice example of a worn, early badge. About 90 percent of the original, factory applied, slightly glossy black paint finish remains intact on this piece. The obverse shows wear, with bare Tombak visible at the high points of the design. The brass alloy has toned nicely, with reddish shades to the toning. There is some fairly thick, uncleaned patina evident. The reverse shows the hollow, stamped appearance that is standard for this black grade of wound badge. The attachment hardware is intact and functional, with a block hinge and round wire pin and catch. There are no signs of repair, and the patina is undisturbed, with some built up old dust. There is no maker mark, as is typical for these early pieces. Overall, the condition of this Black Wound Badge in Brass 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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