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Black Wound Badge (Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz), 1918 pattern, a German military decoration instituted on 3 March 1918 by Kaiser Wilhelm II to recognize members of the German armed forces who had been wounded during the First World War.
The badge was established in three grades: Black, Silver and Gold, according to the number and severity of wounds sustained. The Black grade, representing the lowest level, was generally awarded for one or two combat wounds.
The insignia is manufactured from stamped iron with a blackened finish. Its design features a German Stahlhelm helmet above two crossed swords, enclosed within an oval laurel wreath, characteristic of the Imperial German Wound Badge.
It was worn pinned to the left side of the uniform tunic. Although introduced during the final months of the First World War, the decoration established a design that was subsequently modified and reused during the Second World War.
Original period Imperial German Black Wound Badge, 1918 pattern, manufactured from stamped iron with a blackened finish. First World War.
