Silver Wound Badge Case for Hauptmünzamt, Wien “30”

Product Description: A Silver Wound Badge Case is not an easy thing to find by itself. This one is in great condition and would be an excellent match for a really nice badge that is without a case. There is no damage to this case. The outside shows only very minor shelf wear, with some tiny worn spots on the edges of the artificial leather covering. The metal hinge and push button are complete and functional; the inside is clean and has no issues. The underside of this case bears a maker label for “Hauptmünzamt Wien,” the Vienna mint. This maker is more commonly known by their PKZ number, “30.” They made both unmarked and “30” marked wound badges. This is a nice example of an original Silver Wound Badge case, which is rarer than the badge itself.

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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