Stickpin - Black Wound Badge by L/15

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Wound Badges > Black

A Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (2. Form) 1939 Mitgliednadel by L/15 - Otto Schickle of Pforzheim. The stickpin lapel variation would be privately purchased for everyday wear. 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 struck tombak base that has been black enamel painted. 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 fullback reverse is maker marked: “L/15” and features a soldered-on knurled stickpin. Paint loss and a slightly bent pin. The face measures 1/4 of an inch wide by 9/16 of an inch tall.