Silver Wound Badge – 65

Product Description: This is a nice, representative example of a Silver Wound Badge. It is a later war variant, made of fine zinc. The obverse retains clearly visible remnants of the original silver finish, though there is some fading as is typical with these zinc pieces, and areas have reverted to the gray color of the base metal. This badge shows good detail and only minimal evident wear. The reverse of this Silver Wound Badge is flat and smooth. It is maker marked over the catch with the PKZ number “65” in raised numerals, indicating manufacture by the firm of Klein & Quenzer A.G. in Idar-Oberstein. This is one of a few variants of this award made by this producer. The hardware setup is intact and functional, with an integral hinge and catch. The round wire attachment pin shows the original silver color. This appealing, maker marked badge remains 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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