This is a nice example of a maker marked black wound badge (Verwundeten Abzeichen in Schwarz). With the outbreak of World War 2, on 1 September 1939, Hitler re-instituted a slightly modified version of the wound badge by altering the WWI pattern helmet on the badge to the newly designed M35 style helmet. The badge was awarded to both military and uniformed non-military personnel and later, (March 1943), to civilian personnel who received wounds as a result of enemy actions. The black wound badge was the lowest of the three classes and was awarded for one or two wounds. This is a non-magnetic brass example. The badge is nicely maker marked with number '30' indicating production by the 'Hauptmünzamt Wien' in Wien (Vienna). The pin and catch are complete and functional. This black version is much harder to find then the silver or gold grades of this manufacturer, this is a missing piece in much wound badge collections. Rare original badge in good used condition!