{"product_id":"original-german-wwi-1918-black-wound-badge-with-named-bavarian-besitz-zeugnis-to-trainfahrer-josef-winter-of-pferdlazarett-14-framed-15-x-16","title":"Original German WWI 1918 Black Wound Badge with Named Bavarian Besitz-Zeugnis to Trainfahrer Josef Winter of Pferdlazarett 14 - Framed 15” x 16”","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive German WWI grouping consisting of a 1918-pattern Black Wound Badge displayed together with a named \u003ci\u003eBesitz-Zeugnis\u003c\/i\u003e, or certificate of possession, issued to \u003cb\u003eTrainfahrer Josef Winter\u003c\/b\u003e of \u003cb\u003ebayer. Pferdlazarett 14\u003c\/b\u003e, Bavarian Horse Hospital 14. The document is dated \u003cb\u003e15 June 1918\u003c\/b\u003e, placing its issuance only a little over three months after the Wound Badge was instituted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe badge is the distinctive WWI Army pattern, displaying an Imperial German steel helmet over crossed swords, surrounded by an oval laurel wreath. Considerable wear to the black finish has exposed the lighter metal across the helmet and other raised details, while darker coloration survives within the recessed portions of the design. The badge and certificate are attractively displayed against red fabric within a later decorative gold-tone frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost interesting is the accompanying named certificate. The handwritten recipient information clearly identifies \u003cb\u003eTrainfahrer Josef Winter\u003c\/b\u003e and his unit as \u003cb\u003ebayer. Pferdlazarett 14\u003c\/b\u003e. The document itself specifically references the \u003ci\u003eAllerhöchste Kabinetts-Ordre\u003c\/i\u003e of March 3, 1918, by which the Wound Badge had been established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition is very good overall considering the age of the original pieces. The certificate remains clear and highly legible, showing even toning, light spotting, and minor discoloration. The badge exhibits substantial wear to its original dark finish, with exposed gray metal across the helmet and other high points, darker finish remaining in protected areas, and scattered age-related oxidation. Both pieces are mounted beneath glass in a later decorative frame with red fabric backing. As the badge has not been removed from the display, its reverse, attachment hardware, and any possible manufacturer markings have not been examined.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe document reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDen 15. Juni 1918.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBesitz-Zeugnis.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrainfahrer Josef Winter\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003ebayer. Pferdlazarett 14\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ehat das durch Allerh. Kabinetts-Ordre vom 3.3.18 gestiftete\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eschwarze Abzeichen für Verwundete\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eheute verliehen erhalten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[handwritten signature]\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eMajor u. Kommandeur\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003ed. Et. Mun. Kol. u. Trains 15\u003c\/b\u003e [appears to read]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe commanding officer's signature is written in a highly stylized hand and is not sufficiently clear for us to provide a confident identification. The final command designation also remains somewhat difficult to read, although it appears consistent with an abbreviation referring to an \u003cb\u003eEtappen-Munitionskolonnen und Trains\u003c\/b\u003e command. Period German military abbreviation references use \u003ci\u003eEt.Ko.M.u.T.\u003c\/i\u003e for \u003ci\u003eKommandeur der Etappen-Munitionskolonnen und Trösse\u003c\/i\u003e, referring to the commander of ammunition columns and transport trains in the communications zone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e15 June 1918\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCertificate of Possession\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTransport Driver Josef Winter\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eBavarian Horse Hospital 14\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ehas today received the\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBlack Badge for Wounded Personnel\u003c\/b\u003e,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003einstituted by the Supreme Cabinet Order of March 3, 1918.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[signature]\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eMajor and Commander\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e [of the apparent Etappen ammunition-column and train command No. 15]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this context, \u003ci\u003eTrainfahrer\u003c\/i\u003e should not be understood as a railroad or locomotive driver. The Imperial German \u003ci\u003eTrain\u003c\/i\u003e referred to the military supply and transport arm, and \u003ci\u003eTrainfahrer\u003c\/i\u003e was a contemporary personnel designation within that service. A 1914 notice concerning changes to the German Train specifically records the use of the designation \u003ci\u003eTrainfahrer\u003c\/i\u003e for enlisted personnel of the Train.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe German Army Wound Badge, originally termed the \u003ci\u003eAbzeichen für Verwundete\u003c\/i\u003e, was instituted by Wilhelm II on \u003cb\u003eMarch 3, 1918\u003c\/b\u003e, very late in the First World War. It provided a visible distinction for military personnel who had been wounded through enemy action. Under the original 1918 regulations, the \u003cb\u003eBlack\u003c\/b\u003e grade was awarded for one or two qualifying wounds, the \u003ci\u003emattweiß\u003c\/i\u003e or silver-colored grade for three or four, and the \u003ci\u003emattgelb\u003c\/i\u003e or gold-colored grade for five or more. Bavaria formally adopted the award for the Bavarian Army by decree on \u003cb\u003eMarch 11, 1918\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat Bavarian adoption is particularly relevant to this certificate. Josef Winter is specifically identified as serving with a \u003cb\u003ebayerisches Pferdlazarett\u003c\/b\u003e, making his June 15 document an early Bavarian example issued barely three months after the decoration became available to Bavarian personnel. Surviving museum collections confirm that \u003ci\u003eBesitzzeugnisse\u003c\/i\u003e of this general form were issued during 1918 to document entitlement to the Black Wound Badge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinter's assignment to \u003cb\u003ePferdlazarett 14\u003c\/b\u003e also gives the document an interesting logistical and veterinary connection. Horses remained essential to the German Army throughout WWI, providing traction for artillery, ammunition, supply wagons, medical transport, and countless other functions. Bavarian wartime horse hospitals were therefore substantial military establishments rather than simple veterinary aid stations. Archival research records that newly organized \u003ci\u003ePferdelazarette\u003c\/i\u003e could accommodate as many as 300 animals. Their task was to receive sick horses from military formations, treat them, and return recovered animals to their units. Horses that could not be restored to service within approximately four weeks could be transferred farther to the rear or returned to Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe certificate does \u003cb\u003enot\u003c\/b\u003e record when, where, or under what circumstances Josef Winter was wounded, and it would therefore be inappropriate to associate him with a particular battle from this document alone. Likewise, while the Black grade establishes that he qualified under the regulations applying to that grade, it does not by itself establish a specific single wound because the original Black Badge could recognize either one or two qualifying wounds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45853673914437,"sku":"ONSV26MSB007","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26MSB007__01.jpg?v=1790418539","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwi-1918-black-wound-badge-with-named-bavarian-besitz-zeugnis-to-trainfahrer-josef-winter-of-pferdlazarett-14-framed-15-x-16","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}