{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-excellent-early-brass-construction-first-class-gold-wound-badge-unmarked-solid-back","title":"Original German WWII Excellent Early Brass Construction First Class Gold Wound Badge - Unmarked Solid Back","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent condition German WWII Early First Class Gold grade Wound Badge (\u003cem\u003eVerwundetenabzeichen 1. Klasse in Gelb\u003c\/em\u003e), awarded to those who were wounded five of more times. Showing only light use, it is constructed out of a die struck, brass alloy base that has been gold washed. The oval badge depicts an embossed profile of a mobile swas (hook cross), above an M35 pattern helmet, which is above two crossed broad swords. This then lies on a pebbled field and is surrounded by a laurel leaf and berry wreath which is tied together at the bottom with a bow tie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hinge and catch look to be pressed and\/or soldered onto the back, with an attached pin, and all are intact and in working condition. The gold wash remains in excellent condition overall, still bright and shiny, showing just a few areas of wear through on the swas and other raised areas of the design. This shows the early brass construction, which has oxidized just enough to make it visible. The badge measures 1.75 inches high by 1.5 inches wide, and is a solid back design without a maker mark, which is not uncommon.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall this is a great example of an early brass Gold Wound Badge, much as it was when originally issued!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring 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 swas on the center of the World War One era helmet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the outbreak of war in September 1939 with Poland, Adolf AH 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42837230714949,"sku":"ONSV25LBM060","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV25LBM060__01.jpg?v=1749504936","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-excellent-early-brass-construction-first-class-gold-wound-badge-unmarked-solid-back","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}