Black Wound Badge by L/16

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Wound Badges > Black

A Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (2. Form) 1939 by L/16 - Steinhauer & Luck of Lüdenscheid. Instituted September 1, 1939, the black wound badge was awarded to those who were wounded once or twice by hostile action (including air raids), or frostbitten in the line of duty. It is constructed out of a die stamped steel base that has been black enamel painted and lacquered. The oval shaped obverse depicts an embossed profile of a mobile swastika, above an M35 pattern helmet, which is again above two crossed broad swords. This all lies on a pebbled field and is surrounded by a laurel leaf and berry wreath which is tied together at the bottom with a bow tie. The hollow back reverse is LDO marked “L/16” and features a soldered-on stamped catch, soldered-on wrap around hinge and round wire pin. the pin has a small bend in it. It measures 1 3/4 inches high by 1 1/2 inches wide.