Wound Badge 1939 Reproduction – Black WWII German Badge

Description

Wound Badge 1939 Reproduction – Black 2nd Pattern

This Wound Badge 1939 reproduction is a full-size collector-made example of the German Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz, or Wound Badge in Black, in the familiar second-pattern design used during the Second World War.

The piece measures approximately 44 × 36 mm and reproduces the distinctive oval design of the period decoration: a German steel helmet positioned over two crossed swords and surrounded by a laurel wreath. The badge has a black finish and a reverse fitted with a traditional vertical pin system.

Importantly, this example is offered clearly and transparently as a collector reproduction. It is not being represented as an original wartime-issued decoration.

For collectors looking for a representative example of the design without purchasing an original period award, this Wound Badge 1939 reproduction offers an accessible way to study or display one of the recognisable German military decoration types associated with the Second World War.

Historical Context of the Wound Badge 1939

The historical Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 was instituted on 1 September 1939. It developed from earlier German wound-badge designs while adopting the M35-style steel helmet that became characteristic of the Second World War version.

The decoration was divided into three principal grades. The Black Wound Badge was normally awarded for one or two wounds, while silver and gold represented progressively higher qualifying levels or particularly severe injuries.

The second-pattern design is particularly recognisable. At its centre is a steel helmet placed over crossed swords. These elements sit within an oval laurel wreath, with a textured field visible around the central elements.

Period examples were produced by a number of manufacturers and consequently show considerable variation in material, pin construction, finish and maker marking. Surviving originals may be encountered in blackened iron, non-ferrous metal and other production variants. Specialist archives record genuine examples measuring very close to 44 × 36 mm, which is also the approximate size of this reproduction.

Details of This Wound Badge 1939 Reproduction

The example offered here follows the overall proportions of the historical second-pattern badge.

The obverse retains a strong black appearance. The helmet, crossed swords and surrounding laurel wreath are all clearly defined, while the textured field provides good visual separation between the central design elements.

The photographs also show the reverse configuration. It uses a vertical pin arrangement, recreating the traditional attachment method associated with the historical badge. The rear surface reflects the relief of the stamped design.

No manufacturer number or maker mark is visible in the photographs supplied. This is not unexpected for a collector reproduction and no attribution to a wartime manufacturer is being made.

The exact metal composition has not been independently tested. It is therefore safer to describe the construction simply as metal rather than claiming brass, iron, zinc or another specific alloy.

The approximate dimensions supplied are 44 mm high by 36 mm wide.

Collector Interest

A Wound Badge 1939 reproduction serves a different collecting purpose from an original period decoration.

Original badges are collected according to maker, construction type, finish, condition and provenance. Reproductions such as this example instead provide an economical representation of the design for display, comparative study, educational collections or historical presentation.

That distinction is particularly important with German military decorations because small construction details can significantly affect attribution and market value.

For a beginning collector, a clearly identified reproduction can also be useful as a reference piece when learning the basic appearance and proportions of the 1939 design.

It may additionally complement a broader display of Second World War documents, medals or military material where an inexpensive representative badge is preferred over an original example.

The attraction here therefore lies principally in the design, full-size format and collector presentation, rather than wartime provenance.

Reproduction Versus Original Examples

The difference should always be explicit.

This Wound Badge 1939 reproduction is not an original German military award manufactured and issued during the Second World War.

Original examples currently appear in specialist dealer archives at significantly different values. For example, documented original black badges have sold around €35–€45 in some specialist archives, while identifiable maker variants and particularly good examples can command substantially more.

By comparison, modern reproductions are currently commercially available at approximately €12–€30 depending on quality, construction and seller.

Maintaining this distinction protects both the collector and the historical market.

Condition

The badge appears to be in very good collector-display condition.

The black surface remains strong and the raised design is sharply visible. Minor marks and handling traces can be seen under close inspection. The vertical pin remains present on the reverse.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

Historical Responsibility

This object is offered strictly as a historical collector reproduction for collecting, study and educational purposes.

Autographs & Militaria does not endorse or promote the political ideology, organisations or regime represented by the historical design.

Further Reading

For historical background, see Deutsches Historisches Museum: “Ehrenzeichen”, on the history of German decorations.

Before buying, read my Complete Collector’s Guide to WWII German Medals.