BACKGROUND: The wound badge was originally established on March 3RD 1918 by King Wilhelm II to recognise the sacrifice of those wounded during WWI. The badge was instituted in three classes, of black, silver and gold with the class bestowed reflecting the number or severity of the wounds received. With the outbreak of WWII, on September 1ST 1939, Hitler reinstituted a slightly modified version of the badge. The badge was awarded to both military and uniformed non-military personnel and later to civilian personnel who received wounds as a result of enemy actions. The Gold badge was the highest of the three classes and was awarded for five or more wounds, or if the individual was totally disabled. It was also awarded posthumously if the individual was killed in battle.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Injection molded, zinc construction, solid backed badge with a gilt finish. The standard issue, 1939 pattern badge features an embossed M35 pattern helmet with a high relief, canted, swastika to the center superimposed over crossed swords on a pebbled background field, encompassed by an embossed, vertically oval laurel leaf wreath. The plain solid reverse has an integral hinge, a thin round vertical pin and an integral catch all intact. The reverse is well marked with the embossed manufacturers numerical code, "26", indicating manufacturer by B. H. Mayer’s Kunstprägeanstalt of Pforzheim. Comes with its original case. Case in nicely marked to B. H. Mayer on the bottom. Scarce to see matching maker marked case and badge.