BACKGROUND: The wound badge was originally established on March 3^RD 1918 by King Wilhelm II to recognise the sacrifice of those wounded during WWI. The badge was instituted in three classes, of black, silver and gold with the class bestowed reflecting the number or severity of the wounds received. On May 22^ND 1939 Adolf Hitler re-instituted a slightly modified version of the wound badge with the addition of a swastika to the WWI pattern badge for award to German volunteers who had been wounded supporting the Spanish Nationalist Falangist Generalissimo Francisco Franco against the communist allied Republican Loyalist party in the Spanish Civil War. (July 1936-March 1939). With the outbreak of WWII, on September 1^ST 1939, Hitler was again re-instituted another slightly modified version of the wound badge by altering the WWI pattern helmet on the badge to the newly designed M35 style helmet. The badge was awarded to both military and uniformed non-military personnel and later, (March 1943), to civilian personnel who received wounds as a result of enemy actions. The silver wound badge was awarded for three or four wounds, or if the wound was very severe, i.e.: loss of limb, blindness, etc.. Of Note: Only one hundred eighty-two black and one silver wound badge were awarded to wounded German veterans of the Spanish Civil war.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, die stamped, hollow backed, nickel/silver plated, brass alloy construction, WWI pattern wound badge is in the form of a vertical oval, which is slightly more circular then the 1939 pattern badge, with an embossed profile of a highly vaunted, M16 pattern helmet with a high relief, canted swastika to the center superimposed over crossed swords on a pebbled base all encompassed by a vertically oval, laurel leaf wreath. The badge shows very well defined detailing and the high relief swastika has the correct ribbing between its arms. The nickel/silver plated finish is retained about 65% with spots of wear to the underlying brass at the highlights, including the swastika which makes it stand out in nice contrast to the badge. The reverse of the badge is a mirror image of the obverse and has a small, solid, soldered hinge, a thin, round, vertical pin and a heavy, soldered, catch on a small circular base plate all intact. The badge has no visible manufacture’s markings. Scarce, early pattern Third Reich era wound badge in overall good condition.

GRADE ***1/2                             PRICE $356.00