WW1 German Army Wound Badge

History of the Artifact

The Black Wound Badge from World War I was the lowest class of the 'Verwundetenabzeichen' - a badge awarded to German soldiers who suffered one or two wounds while serving in combat. It was introduced on March 3, 1918, by Kaiser Wilhelm II, near the end of the war. As trench warfare and industrialized combat led to a massive number of casualties, the badge served as a way to recognize soldiers who had been injured in the line of duty. The Black Wound Badge was the most commonly awarded version, given that many soldiers sustained only one or two injuries before either recovering or being taken out of active service.

The design features a German M1916 Stahlhelm (steel helmet) set over two crossed swords, encircled by a laurel wreath. It was stamped from thin sheet steel, brass, or zinc, then painted or chemically blackened to give it a dark appearance. Over time, due to exposure and wear, some of these badges lose their black coating, revealing the metal underneath. The back of the badge is smooth or lightly textured, featuring a pin and catch mechanism to attach it to the left breast pocket of a soldier’s uniform.

The criteria for receiving the Black Wound Badge were relatively straightforward. It was awarded to soldiers who had been wounded once or twice in combat. Additionally, it could be issued for frostbite injuries, which were common on the brutal and frozen battlefields of the Western and Eastern Fronts. Though primarily intended for the German Army, members of the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial Navy) and Luftstreitkräfte (Imperial Air Service) could also receive the award if they had been wounded while engaged in combat operations.

How do I know these are original WW1 badges?

Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection: 

1. Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  
2. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 
3. Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.

What will my artifact look like?

Your medal will look very similar to the one shown in the photos. There will always be some variety, given our items are unique historical pieces. If for whatever reason you get anything that does not fit this description you are entitled to your money back! 

Your order will include:

• One authentic German WW1 wound badge
• Elegant protective case for preservation and display of your artifact 
• Certificate of Authenticity

Ancient Artifacts relics are guaranteed authentic and have a 100% money back policy. Read more about our Mission and Promise for authenticity.