~ WW1 German Gold Wound Badge ~
The medal is original; it is hollow-backed.
~ German Wound Badges ~
The Wound Badge (German: Verwundetenabzeichen) was a German military decoration first promulgated by Wilhelm II, German Emperor on 3 March 1918, which was first awarded to soldiers of the German Army who were wounded during World War I. Between the world wars, it was awarded to members of the German armed forces who fought on the Nationalist side of the Spanish Civil War, 1938–39, and received combat-related wounds. It was awarded to members in the Reichswehr, the Wehrmacht, SS and the auxiliary service organizations during World War II. After March 1943, due to the increasing number of Allied bombings, it was also awarded to civilians wounded in air raids. It was awarded when the wound was the result of enemy hostile action. In 1957, the West German government authorized a denazified (Swastika removed) version of the basic (black, silver, and gold) badges for wear on the Bundeswehr uniform, among other certain Nazi-era wartime awards.
The badge had three classes:
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Black (3rd class, representing Iron), for those wounded once or twice by hostile action (including air raids).
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Silver (2nd class) for being wounded three or four times.
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Gold (1st class, which could be awarded posthumously) for being wounded five or more times.
The "progression" could be waived in the event of loss of a limb or eyesight; when such a severe wound occurred, the silver badge was awarded.
~ Condition ~
Please refer to the images for condition. It is in good order.
~ Dimensions ~
