Early Silver Wound Badge – Gustav Brehmer

Product Description: A stunning and highly sought-after Early Silver Wound Badge, produced by Gustav Brehmer, crafted from high-quality tombak with a silvered finish. This exceptional piece showcases intricate detailing, with a crisp, well-defined design featuring the iconic laurel wreath, crossed swords, and the classic steel helmet adorned with a swastika.

The reverse remains in excellent condition, featuring a soldered-on setup with an unaltered pin and hinge. The silvered finish has been lightly worn, lending this Early Silver Wound Badge an elegant, time-worn patina that enhances its historical authenticity. No repairs, no damage—just an honest, untouched example of an early-war combat decoration.

A must-have for discerning collectors, this Early Silver Wound Badge represents a prime specimen of wartime craftsmanship. Pieces of this caliber, particularly in such fine condition, are becoming increasingly scarce 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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