Maker Marked Black Wound Badge – S&L

Product Description: This maker marked Black Wound Badge is a choice and desirable piece, in outstanding condition. It’s made of stamped steel. The obverse retains virtually all of the original smooth black factory applied paint. All of the original detail is present, and there is no apparent wear to note. The reverse is textbook, with a sheet metal hinge and catch and functional round wire pin, and shows no repair. This badge is maker marked on the back of the helmet with the PKZ code “4” indicating this was an issue piece made by the firm of  Steinhauer & Lück in Lüdenscheid. This maker marked Black Wound Badge was a direct purchase from the daughter of the veteran who brought it back. The veteran’s name was Technical Sergeant Leonard Schlicht, and he served in the Italian Campaign under the 88th Cavalry Reconnaissance of the 88th Infantry Division of the 5th Army. T.Sgt Schlicht’s daughter said her father would not speak very often of the war, and given the role of an armored recon unit, it’s safe to presume that T.Sgt Leonard Schlicht saw quite a bit of combat during his time in Italy. This pristine badge would be hard to upgrade. The condition rates as near mint.

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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