Original German WWII Black 3rd Class Wound Badge by Overhoff & Cie in Original LDO Case Box

Original Item: Only One Available. A fine maker marked black wound badge with original LDO case box by Overhoff & Cie of Lüdenscheid, a very well known and desirable maker of German WWII awards and uniform accessories. LDO Boxes are quite hard to find, and definitely adds to the value of this piece. The badge is constructed out of stamped steel with a matte black finish, and has a functional vertical pinback. The oval badge depicts an embossed profile of a mobile swas, above an M35 pattern helmet, which is above two crossed broad swords. This then 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 badge measures 1 11/16 inches high by 1 5/16 inches wide.

The reverse is maker marked on the lower left side of the helmet design with Präsidialkanzlei des Führers Lieferant (Presidential Chancellery Supplier) number 81, which represents maker Overhoff & Cie of Lüdenscheid, a city with a large garment accessories industry. Overall condition is excellent, with the pinback working flawlessly, and showing just a bit of wear to the finish. Most likely it was never awarded or issued.

Also included is the original presentation box in black with a logo for LDO on the interior lid, which stands for Leistungsgemeinschaft Deutscher Ordenhersteller (Guild of German awards manufacturers). The box still has the original paper, and there are faint markings on the back for a wound badge in black, which we cannot quite make out. A great example ready for further research and display!

The German Wound Badge (Verwundetenabzeichen) was instituted during the First World War to recognize those wounded in the conflict. It was designed using a World War One style Imperial German helmet as the main motif. The helmet was set on top two crossed swords against a pebbled background and surrounded by a laurel leaves wreath.

During the Spanish Civil War the Third Reich reinstated the Wound Badge for a short period to honor those who were wounded during the conflict from 1936 to 1939. These German units participating in the assistance of the Spanish Fascists were deemed the “Condor Legion”. The pattern of the World War One Wound Badge was again used, except this time with a raised swas on the center of the World War One era helmet.

At the outbreak of war in September 1939 with Poland, Adolf AH once again reinstated the Wound Badge Award. Again the pattern of the badge was similar to that of the earlier style except the new design was freshened up a bit by using an M35 pattern German helmet and a slightly softer looking wreath. This pattern was used until the end of the war in 1945. After March 1943, due to the increasing number of Allied bombings, it was also awarded to wounded civilians in air raids. It was awarded when the wound was the result of enemy hostile action, with an exception being for frostbite. It is impossible to know the exact numbers of wound badges awarded during the course of the Second World War due to the vast scale and countless individuals who were wounded or killed in the conflict.

The badge had three classes:
- Black (3rd class, representing Iron), for those wounded once or twice by hostile action (including air raids).
- Silver (2nd class) for being wounded three or four times.
- Gold (1st class, which could be awarded posthumously) for five or more times wounded.

The "progression" could be waived in the event of loss of a limb or eyesight; when such a severe wound occurred, the silver badge was awarded.

Badges were made of pressed steel, brass and zinc. All versions of the Wound Badge were worn on the lower left breast of the uniform or tunic. The badge was worn below all other awards on the left. It ranked lower than combat badges. There were 24 approved manufacturers of the Wound Badge. At first, the Wound Badge in Black was stamped from sheet brass, painted semi-matte black with a hollow reverse pin back attachment or of solid construction. From 1942, steel was used to make the badges. The Wound Badge in silver was made (before 1942) from silver-plated brass, and (after 1942) from lacquered zinc, and had a solid reverse with either a needle pin or a broad flat pin bar. The Wound Badge in Gold was a gilded version of the Wound Badge in Silver. In 1957, a revised version of the Wound Badge was authorised for wear; however, the previous type could still be worn if the swas were removed (for example by grinding).