Original German WWII Black Wound Badge by Zimmermann in LDO Box Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. A fine maker marked mint example of a black wound badge with original LDO marked case box by C.F. Zimmermann of Pforzheim. It is constructed of blackened bronze, the obverse depicting a Stahlhelm (Steel Helmet) overlaid by a mobile swas on top of crossed swords on a pebbled field with laurel branch wreath, reverse with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, maker marked on reverse with code L/52 for C.F. Zimmermann of Pforzheim in extremely fine unissued condition. Original box is LDO marked which stands for Leistungsgemeinschaft Deutscher Ordenhersteller (Guild of German awards manufacturers) of which Zimmermann was a member. Inside the box is a small label that reads:

Die Herstellung von Orden und Ehrenzeichen unterliegt die Kontrolle der Präsidialkanzlei. Der Hersteller ist verpflichtet, mangelhaft gelieferte Stücke gegen einwandfreien Ersatz umzutauschen.

Which roughly translates to:
The production of medals and decorations is under the control of the presidential office. The manufacturer is obliged to replace defective delivered pieces against faultless replacement.

Also included is the original tissue paper protective wrapping. This box and medal appear to have never been issued or, if issued, to have never been worn. Truly mint condition!

The German Wound Badge 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. 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 Wound Badge Awards came in three different types of grades representing the amount , or severity, of wounds received. The first grade, the Black Wound Badge was awarded for 1 to 2 wounds received in combat. The Silver Grade was awarded for 3 to 4 wounds, and finally the Gold Grade for 5 or more wounds, total disability, or death.