WWI Imperial Gold Wound Badge D.R.G.M.

[dc9]

Hello All,

Found this one at the MAX. It is ferrous/magnetic. I originally thought it might be a private purchase brass/cupal base version, but it looks to be brass-plated steel version, with a nice gold finish and marked "D.R.G.M." on the textbook folded catch.

All opinions and feedback are welcome.


Regards,

Eric

[dc9]

.

[dc9]

..

[dc9]

...

[Brian L.]

Fairly scarce in gold. It's not brass-plated. It's flash gilded with gold paint or mica gilt powder.

[dc9]

Fairly scarce in gold. It's not brass-plated. It's flash gilded with gold paint or mica gilt powder.

Thank you for this detailed description; I've not heard of a "mica gilt powder finish" and will add it to my research - any idea whether this might narrow the badge down to wartime issue or post-war, based on the type of finishes?

Regards,

Eric

[Jesse]

Eric, the DRGM mark was initiated in the early 1890's and was in use into the 1950's. General consensus is that these badges are post war, in fact I have seen no information that indicates them being earlier than mid 1920s to 1930's, most probably the latter. Some German forums have discussed the name of the maker but again no real information or consensus. some KMST EK1's also have this mark and I have seen tenuous attempts to link them but I think this is really pushing it.

The mark is not a patent as such but indicates a cheaper way to protect a technical change or innovation, much cheaper than the cost of a DRP full patent. As Brian says, yours is very hard to find and extremely desirable to own.

Jesse