Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive group of three original Imperial German WWI Wound Badges, or Verwundetenabzeichen, representing all three grades of the award: Black, Silver, and Gold. All three are hollow back examples constructed from stamped magnetic steel with their corresponding black, silver colored, and gold colored finishes. Together they form a particularly appealing display of the complete three grade system instituted during the final year of WWI to recognize German servicemen wounded in the conflict.

The Verwundetenabzeichen was instituted by Kaiser Wilhelm II on March 3rd, 1918 for members of the Imperial German Army wounded during WWI. Unlike an award recognizing participation in a particular battle or an act of valor, the badge visibly recognized wounds suffered during military service. It was created in three grades, Black, Silver, and Gold, with the level principally determined by the number of wounds received. Contemporary examples were subsequently awarded retrospectively as well, making the 1918 Wound Badge one of the distinctive personal decorations associated with German veterans of the Great War. The Deutsches Panzermuseum confirms the March 3rd, 1918 institution date and the three original grades.

Each badge uses the familiar Imperial German WWI design. At center is the raised profile of an M16 Stahlhelm, positioned above two crossed swords on a textured field. The entire composition is enclosed within a raised leaf and berry wreath tied together by a bow at the bottom. The design is immediately recognizable as the 1918 pattern and differs noticeably from the redesigned German WWII Wound Badge.

The first grade was the Black Wound Badge, awarded for one or two wounds. The Silver Wound Badge represented the second grade and was awarded for three or four wounds, while the Gold Wound Badge represented the highest grade and was awarded for five or more wounds. The Leo Baeck Institute independently records these same original three grade criteria.

All three badges in this group are of the desirable hollow back stamped construction and show varying degrees of finish loss consistent with age and handling. Because all three are magnetic, the underlying material on these particular examples is steel.

The Black Wound Badge retains its pin, but the catch has been dented or distorted to the point that the pin can no longer be removed from the catch. The badge nevertheless remains complete with its reverse hardware present.

The Silver Wound Badge retains the best functioning reverse hardware of the three. Its pin back remains fully operational and can still be opened and secured normally. The silver colored finish shows age and wear but remains readily identifiable as the second grade of the award.

The Gold Wound Badge also retains its reverse pin assembly, but the catch is dented so that the pin can no longer be inserted and secured in the catch. As with the other two examples, there is varying loss to the original finish.

Taken together, these three hollow back badges present the entire Imperial German WWI wound award progression in one group. The combination of Black, Silver, and Gold grades, matching stamped magnetic construction, honest finish wear, and surviving pin hardware gives the set excellent visual and historical interest despite the damaged catches on the Black and Gold examples. It would display especially well in a collection devoted to Imperial German decorations, German combat awards, or the personal experience of soldiers wounded during the Great War.