Original 1957 German Silver Wound Badge – Verwundetenabzeichen

Description

Original 1957 German Silver Wound Badge – Verwundetenabzeichen

This original 1957 German Silver Wound Badge, or Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber 1957, is a postwar Federal Republic of Germany version of the military wound decoration originally instituted during the Second World War.

The badge retains the instantly recognisable oval design associated with the German Wound Badge: a military steel helmet positioned over two crossed swords, surrounded by a detailed laurel wreath and tied bow at the lower edge. The principal difference is historically significant—the helmet is intentionally presented without the National Socialist swastika.

This omission is not accidental. In 1957, the Federal Republic of Germany adopted legislation regulating the wearing of earlier German decorations. The law specifically included decorations instituted for service during the Second World War, including the Verwundetenabzeichen, while requiring the authorised forms to be worn without National Socialist emblems.

INS16 therefore belongs to an interesting and often misunderstood field of German medal collecting: the 1957-pattern or “57er” decorations produced for qualifying veterans after the war.

From the 1939 Wound Badge to the 1957 Version

The original 1939 Wound Badge was instituted on 1 September 1939 and existed in three principal grades: black, silver and gold. The silver grade represented the intermediate level and was normally associated with three or four qualifying wounds, although severe individual injuries could also justify the silver grade under the original award regulations.

Wartime versions featured a swastika prominently on the front of the helmet.

Following the establishment of the Federal Republic, the 1957 legislation created a legal framework allowing eligible veterans to wear modified versions of a number of previous wartime decorations. The law expressly covers the Second World War Wound Badge and requires the authorised form to follow designs without National Socialist emblems.

The result was a range of postwar-produced badges that preserved the general appearance and meaning of the original award while removing the prohibited political symbolism.

INS16 – Silver 1957 Pattern

The present example is finished in a silver colour and shows the characteristic postwar design with:

the oval laurel wreath surrounding the badge;

a central German military helmet without swastika;

two crossed swords positioned behind the helmet;

a tied bow at the bottom of the wreath;

and a vertical pin-back fastening on the reverse.

The reverse is largely plain and displays a full-length vertical pin mounted between the upper hinge and lower catch.

No manufacturer marking can be confirmed from the photographs, and for that reason no attribution to Steinhauer & Lück, Deumer or another postwar manufacturer is made.

This is important because several German manufacturers produced 1957-pattern decorations, and specialist collectors distinguish between early and later production variants based on construction, materials, hardware and design details.

Condition

INS16 shows clear signs of age and storage.

The silver-coloured finish remains strongly visible across most of the helmet, wreath and crossed swords, although there are several darkened and brown-toned areas where oxidation or surface deterioration has developed.

The most noticeable wear appears around the upper-left section of the obverse and within some of the recessed areas surrounding the helmet and swords.

The reverse also exhibits scattered dark oxidation marks and general surface wear.

The original-style vertical pin, hinge and catch remain present.

These signs have been retained as part of the historical character of the object, and no aggressive polishing or restoration is claimed.

Collector Interest

1957-pattern decorations occupy a separate collecting category from wartime Third Reich awards.

They are particularly interesting to collectors studying:

postwar German military history;

Bundesrepublik veteran awards;

1957-pattern German decorations;

the continuation of WWII award traditions after 1945;

and the process of removing National Socialist symbolism from authorised German decorations.

The distinction should always be made clear. INS16 should not be advertised as an original 1939–45 manufactured Wound Badge. It is better—and historically more accurate—to describe it as an original postwar 1957-pattern Silver Wound Badge.

Current specialist dealers offer comparable 1957 silver badges between approximately €45 and €70. Trave Militaria currently lists an early silver-plated non-ferrous example at €70, while Sammlermarkt-Nord offers a 1957 silver version at €45 and Stephan Militaria lists an early 1939/1957-pattern example at €59.

Authenticity and Attribution

The badge is catalogued as a genuine 1957-pattern postwar German Wound Badge in Silver based on its denazified design and visible construction.

No wartime manufacturer, WWII production date or individual recipient is attributed.

Autographs & Militaria guarantees the item according to the historical classification stated in this listing: a postwar 1957-pattern decoration, not a wartime 1939–45 manufacture.

Historical Responsibility Notice

This item is offered solely for historical, documentary, educational and collecting purposes. Its historical connection with German wartime military awards does not represent endorsement of National Socialism or any totalitarian ideology.