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This item is an original Black Wound Badge (German: Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz) from the World War I period (1914-1918). The badge was instituted on March 3, 1918, by Kaiser Wilhelm II and was the first German award intended solely for wounded soldiers, issued on a mass scale.
Condition and Physical Characteristics
- Material: The badge is made using a die-stamping process from a non-magnetic metal blank (likely brass or another alloy, known as Buntmetall), subsequently blackened (painted or oxidized). While iron versions were standard issue, non-magnetic versions were often private purchases.
- Visual Condition: The item is in a very nice state of preservation ("very nice condition" as described by the user), with the original black finish preserved on most of the surface. The details of the Stahlhelm M1916 helmet, crossed swords underneath, and the wreath are crisp.
- Reverse and Mounting: The reverse features a functional vertical pinback assembly. WWI badges typically did not have manufacturer's marks.
- Flaws: Other than minimal, natural signs of age or slight wear to the blackening, which is expected for an item over a hundred years old, there are no significant physical flaws.
Historical Context
The Wound Badge (Verwundetenabzeichen) was awarded in three classes: black (for one or two wounds), silver (for three or four wounds), and gold (for five or more wounds, or permanent disability). It was the first badge to honor a soldier's physical sacrifice on the battlefield, regardless of rank. In 1939, a new version of the badge featuring a swastika was introduced, but WWI veterans were permitted to wear the 1918 version.