L/53 Verwundetenabzeichen authentication.........

[Greenhorn]

Steve

Missed this thread. Lovely badge in great condition, Steve. These solid versions, being earlier pieces (if I'm correct), are much nicer than the one I own.

Congrats!

Green

[Walkwolf]

Thanks Green, and everyone for the positive comments.


Silver and Gold grade badges are solid, Black grade badges are hollow.
Early Sillver and Gold are usually made of tombac/brass and plated.
Black badges were either tombac or steel and painted. War-time
Silver and Gold badges are made of 'Feinzink' - these do not
hold their plating all that well.

It's possible that very early Gold badges were hollow, but I think
these were actually very late war Black grade badges, devoid
of paint and used in lieu of gold because of war-time shortages.
No real proof of this, but it's rumoured that one or two Vets
said they had been used in this manner.

Below is a tombac/brass 'Black grade' badge, but there is not
a speck of black paint on it:

[Greenhorn]

Thanks Green, and everyone for the positive comments.


Silver and Gold grade badges are solid, Black grade badges are hollow.
Early Sillver and Gold are usually made of tombac/brass and plated.
Black badges were either tombac or steel and painted. War-time
Silver and Gold badges are made of 'Feinzink' - these do not
hold their plating all that well.

It's possible that very early Gold badges were hollow, but I think
these were actually very late war Black grade badges, devoid
of paint and used in lieu of gold because of war-time shortages.
No real proof of this, but it's rumoured that one or two Vets
said they had been used in this manner.

Below is a tombac/brass 'Black grade' badge, but there is not
a speck of black paint on it:

Thank you for the thorough explaination, Steve. Silly me, I didn't know gold and silver were solid and black wasn't. I though all early war badges were solid.

I can see the late war black badge getting confusing. Can't wait for the next military show I attend and ask to see the 'black' wound badge whilst pointing to the gold colored one LOL

[rbminis]

Thanks Green, and everyone for the positive comments.


It's possible that very early Gold badges were hollow, but I think
these were actually very late war Black grade badges, devoid
of paint and used in lieu of gold because of war-time shortages.
No real proof of this, but it's rumoured that one or two Vets
said they had been used in this manner.

I don't know how I missed this thread either!
Congratulations Steve on a very nice silver wound badge!
I was lead to believe that it was the other way around, that some hollow golds were made late in the war due to the shortages.
Ralph.

[Adrian]

Good explanation Steve but worth pointing out that if anyone is offered a hollow 'gold' grade badge at a high price to walk away. The chances are it will be a black badge devoid of finish. 'Proper' gold awards are fairly easy to come by so don't overpay for a black badge with no finish.

[Walkwolf]

I agree Adrian. I'm pretty sure that most people think these are worn
'Black' badges anyhow - but indeed, worth pointing this out.........!