Stickpin - Silver Wound Badge by L/14

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Wound Badges > Silver

A Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber (2. Form) 1939 Mitgliednadel by L/14 - Friedrich Orth of Wien. The stickpin lapel variation would be privately purchased for everyday wear. Instituted September 1, 1939, the silver wound badge was awarded to those who were wounded three or four times by hostile action (including air raids), or frostbitten in the line of duty. It is constructed out of a die struck zinc base that has been silver washed and lacquered. 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/14” and features a soldered-on knurled tombak stickpin. The face measures 5/16 of an inch wide by 3/8 of an inch tall.