Silver Wound Badge 20 JUli 1944

[Robin Lumsden]

I'm puzzled about the marks as well. Surely this award couldn't be bought over the counter?

[Hansi]

Am I right, that this one was sold at Hermann Historica and that it came with a COA of Detlev Niemann?

Hansi

[mmiller]

Robin,

I know what you are saying. A badge of this caliber and prestige sure wouldn't be available at the local outletter. But if it were available for private purchase (maybe from a select Juncker outlet) I would assume that it would be marked as such.

Figure, why would the badge be (AH) personally awarded with two different makermarks. The '2' could most certainly validate the award as the presentation piece. Since such a limited 'run' of the badge was produced, would it not be logical that Juncker stamped the badge both ways, for the reasons I cited above? Just a theory.

Mark

[Robin Lumsden]

Could be, I suppose.

It just seems odd to me that this particular badge would be marked up for private sale.

We'll never know for sure.

[Pieter Verbruggen]

Jason & Pieter,

Can either or both of you (heavy hitters) elaborate on the finish of the Black, Silver, and Gold grades? I know they were a bit more elaborate that single tone finishes. Do either of you have images you are free to post (or email me) ?

Thanks,
Mark

PS - The criteria stated that each awardee received the 44 class badge based upon his previous wound badge holdings. Suppose that later in 44 or pre war's end, the original recipient was wounded again, and was bumped up to the next grade of 44 wound badge. Do we know if that individual could then privately purchase that next grade badge, which would (most likely) be 'L' marked? I'm just wondering why the two Juncker makermarks, 2 & L/12...........

Hi Mark,

They were casted from 800 silver.

Black grade: artificially darkened, peppled field some kind of white frostening, polished date and signature.

Silver grade: plane silver,peppled field some kind of white frostening, polished date and signature.

Gold grade: gilded,peppled field some kind of white frostening, polished date and signature.

Pieter.

[mmiller]

Thanks Pieter,

That is easy to remeber. Badge color as per regulation, and white 'frosted' pebbling. What is you speculation on the '2' vs. L/12?

Regards,
Mark

[TMurray]

Hansi, you are correct.

Am I right, that this one was sold at Hermann Historica and that it came with a COA of Detlev Niemann?

Hansi

[Jason Burmeister]

I agree that it is the example from the auction, but did it have a COA of Detlev Niemann?

[mmiller]

Robin,

In talking with another active Member here, there sems the possibility that the remaining (non-presentation pieces) badges were in 'the Castle', and under Government control. Of course, additional badges (maybe the L/12) would be available to select personel who achieved a higher grade badge, or needed a replacement. Bear in mind........... we are talking about Generals, Field Marshalls, and Admirals. The Cream of the Crop, per se.

Mark

Could be, I suppose.

It just seems odd to me that this particular badge would be marked up for private sale.

We'll never know for sure.

[mmiller]

Jason,

Hansi mentions that the 44 did come with a Niemann COA.

MM

Am I right, that this one was sold at Hermann Historica and that it came with a COA of Detlev Niemann?

Hansi

[Detlev Niemann]

Good morning.

The background for "2" and "L12" pieces in existance is well explained in the 4h Volume of Nimmerguts books. Tons of mistakes in these books,but this is well explained.

I had the badge (L/12) in question on my table and was able to compare it with the 2 badges (both "2") I had from recipient families in germany.

The badges were identical in weight,measurments,details, every aspect,beside having either "2" or "L/12" markings.

regards
detlev

[mmiller]

Guten Morgen, Herrn. Niemann, (Hi Detlev!)

I do not have access to the Nimmergut volumes. Is it possible for you to please paraphrase the explanation of '2' and L/12?

Vielen Danke ,
Mark

[Detlev Niemann]

Vol.4 ,page 2229,2230:

He writes:

The markings 22" or "L/12" resultes from the regulation of which these badges were ordered from the company Junckers.

Juncker had:

"L/12" is the code as a full licenced Maker by the LDO

"2" is Company list by the Präsidialkanzlei des Führers. The Präsidialkanzlei ordered badges from the manufacturers with 3 different delivery adresses:

a. to gouvernmental and party adresses
b. to teh Wehrmacht (Army,Luft,Kriegsm.)
c) to the free medal market

Here only b) and c) are of interest. Deliveries to teh Wehrmacht were marked "2" (Eitehr on badge or on packing), deliveries to the free sakle amrket were marked "L/12".

The wounded badges were not handed over by Hitler all together by a special date, but were awarded, sent to recipients, one even had to remind that he was left behind by now.

i.e. Warliamonts badge is also marked "L/12"


regards
detlev

[mmiller]

Detlev,

Thanks for taking time to get involved here, especially on your busiest day of the week!

I understand what you wrote, but I am still trying to figure out why the L/12's were made. As I understand it, you stated "Deliveries to teh Wehrmacht were marked "2" (Eitehr on badge or on packing)". Were those the pieces initially awarded to the recipients? What was the purpose of the L/12's, if all injured personnel already received their '2's?

Was it to just have a 'presentation' badge (2), and to purchase a wearing badge (L/12) ["deliveries to the free sakle amrket were marked "L/12".]?

Vielen Danke!
Mark

[Richard]

As scarce as these must be, $30,000 would seem like chump change for the possibility of owning one. You can pay that much for 2 cased KC's and not have something of this rarity factor. Seems like a pretty good bargain if one had the $.

Richard V