Condition: Near Mint
Maker: Overhoff
Base Material: Steel
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Product Description: This packeted Black Wound Badge is a pristine original set, in near mint condition. It still looks nearly the way it would have when it was completed at the factory. The badge is made of stamped steel, and retains virtually all of the original glossy black enamel painted finish. It has never been cleaned, and is completely untouched, with full original detail and hardly any traces of even having been handled. The reverse of this badge features intact original hardware, with a sheet metal hinge and catch and functional round wire pin. There is no maker marking. This well-preserved badge is complete with its original packet of issue. The packet is textbook, made of heavy paper with the designation of the award printed on the front. The back of the packet is maker marked, with the manufacturer indicated to be “Overhoff & Cie. Lüdenscheid.” This packeted Black Wound Badge is nearly perfect, and rates as near mint. It displays very well.
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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