- Time Period: Second World War
- Year of Institution: 1941
- Country: Bulgaria
The Bulgarian Wounded Badge was instituted in 1941 and awarded to those wounded on active service. The number on the obverse indicates the number of wounds.
The Wound Badges were issued with a crown on the top during the Regency period. After September 9, 1944, during the Republican period, royal symbols were removed from awards and the crown of the Wounded Badge was exchanged for a plain wreath or a communist red star.
The Bulgarian Wound Badge Design
The Bulgarian Wounded Badge is an oval zinc alloy badge measuring 37 by 52 millimeters and made in silver gilt and enamels. It consisted of multiple pieces such as a main silver-colored element with wreath, a red-enameled middle-plate, a brass lion, and a nickel-plated backplate with the hallmark of the maker.
The obverse features a wreath of oak and laurel encircling a hatched ground, a pale blue painted cross pattée with scalloped ends to the arms bearing a gilt Bulgarian lion, a helmet in its right paw, an escutcheon bearing the number of wounds in its left, the royal crown with flying pendelia (tassels) above, and a scroll below inscribed ‘За БЪЛГАРНЯ’ (translated “for Bulgaria”). The reverse has a pinback for wear.
