Germany, Wehrmacht. A Black Grade Wound Badge, by Heinrich Wander
(Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz). Constructed of blackened magnetic metal, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, with a central Stahlhelm overlaid by a mobile swastika, on top of crossed swords on a pebbled field, the reverse with a crimped barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 36.66 mm (w) x 44.23 mm (h), weighing 7.9 grams, accompanied by its period original package of issue, constructed of brown paper stock, the exterior bearing an inscription of “VERWUNDETENABZEICHEN SCHWARZ” and a maker’s mark of “HEINRICH WANDER, GABLONZ/NEIßE”, measuring 60 mm (w) x 100 mm (h), retaining an original wax paper liner, with a small spot of oxidation evident to the side of the wreath at the nine o’clock position, in otherwise near mint condition.

