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WWII GERMAN WOUND BADGE - SILVER -
Towards the end of the Spanish civil war, several German soldiers were wounded prompted. This prompted
Hitler to reinstitute an award dating back to WWI, the wound badge. The year was 1939, the design of the
badge was very similar to that employed during the great war, the main difference being that the new badge sported a raised swastika on the helmet.
This is German WWII Silver wound badge. Complete with the issue case.
Solid metal
construction with a
vertical pin.
The badge was worn on the breast area of the
tunic.
It was attached by running the pin
through small loops (Two or more) that were sewn in the tunic.
The issue box for this sample is made of cardboard with the flap attached to the main body at one end,
creating a hinging effect. A molded purple felt insert is provided to allow the badge to sit firmly in place
when it is stowed away.
The wound badge was issued in three classes: Black ,
silver and
gold .
The criteria for earning the award follows:
| CLASS | CRITERIA |
| Black Wound badge | 1 to 2 wounds |
| Silver wound badge | 3 to 4 wounds |
| Gold wound badge | 5 or more wounds |
The design of the badge consists of an oval with a wreath that surrounds the perimeter. A bowe is placed
at the bottom of the wreath as to simulate it is holding it in place.
The center displays a German helmet (Type M-35 or M-42) with two swords crossed behind it.
A swastika adorns the center of the helmet.
The inside of the wreath is heavily pebbled. The back is solid with a vertical pin attached via a
hinge with a rectangular base on the upper portion of the badge. A catch is found in the opposite side,
allowing the pin to be secured firmly when in the closed position.
A
manufacturer's mark
can be found on the back of the badge. It is manifested in the form of the
number 407 encased inside a circular shape. It is important to note that not all badges contain
markings.
Additional inscriptions may have included the
RZM number.
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This page is a recognition and identification guide for WWII German badges and awards. Multiple
detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point out clearly defined points
that should be noted.
One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my WWII German badge worth?". A price
guide is included here to address this question. The value of the badges and awards is reviewed
over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth of the German
badges in the collector's market is illustrated.
This service is provided free of charge to the visitor/enthusiast courtesy of
MilitaryItems.com,
a company dedicated to the preservation of military history and to providing quality military
antiques and collectibles to museums, institutions and the general public.
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This badge along with the other styles is currently being
reproduced. It is becoming more difficult to
be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality of the reproductions is improving.
The collector must become familiarized with the construction style and materials employed in the
manufacturing of this badge. Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine
the authenticity of the badge.
If you have an interest is seeing other badges and awards of the Third Reich, you can do so by going
to our WWII German Badges and Awards
identification guide. Where we cover Heer (Army), Navy (Kriegsmarine) and
Air Force (Luftwaffe) items.
GERMAN SILVER WOUND BADGE VARIATIONS
The Silver Wound badge was produced by several manufacturers and in different configurations.
The following section displays some of the different types that were produced.
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