Prize or school of musketry

[iain]

Hi,i picked this badge up recently and was wondering if anyone could tell me if it was a prize or school of musketry badge please, also any idea who the backing colours to the signallers badge might belong to. thanks iain

[LONGSHANKS]

I believe it is the School of Musketry.

Simon.

[grumpy]

If on a slider, S of M cap badge, if on 4 lugs, prize badge BUT this is a grey area because the prize badges [except Marksman] were ALWAYS officially on worsted for SD .... this failed to stop thousands of GM versions being worn

[LONGSHANKS]

Hi Grumpy, what would this one be then; just so I can label it; if it's a legit one that is.

Simon.

[iain]

Thank you Simon, mine is identicle to yours except for the possition of the loops {N,S, on mine] my doubts came from sider issue mentioned by grumpy,i notice the crown is held on by small tabs where on a signallers prize i have the star is attatched directly onto the flag poles

[LONGSHANKS]

Hi Ian, my doubts on mine are that I've seen them with tabs that allow a red material in the crown; mine doesn't have this. And the lugs on mine would lend me to think it wouldn't attach well and "flip" up on the top two lugs on the sleeve -if that makes sense.

Simon.

[grumpy]

I can't be sure, but it is a beautiful piece, never mind what it was for!

[iain]

just tried school of musketry in the search box and it would appear this badge has been causing a few head aches as to its i.d. same badge with slider or differant positioned loops and there is a picture of the badge you mention simon with the blades on the crown but no sign of them ever bieng on mine

[signalman]

As information.

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by LONGSHANKS

Hi Grumpy, what would this one be then; just so I can label it; if it's a legit one that is.

Simon.

Rank badge for CSMI SofM (4-lugs).

[Alan O]

The BW photo seems to be 2 piece with a separate crown above the brass cross rifles.

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by Alan O

The BW photo seems to be 2 piece with a separate crown above the brass cross rifles.

Yes, that was usual with worsted badges. Between the wars, when shirt sleeve order became more prevalent and acceptable than previously, the rank and appointment of WOII CSMI (introduced between the wars) wore a leather wristlet with a lugged badge, sometimes 4-lugs and sometimes 2-lugs. Secured by cotter pins there was an innermost flap of thinner leather that protected the skin of the wrist. I have seen many being worn in old course photos at the SCHINF. Initially the wristlets were often made up in the bazaars. Schools of Musketry existed in India and Egypt. Cap badges generally had sliders and a noticeably smaller crown.

Afternote: When the rank and appointment became WOII QMSI (only) after WW2, the extra dimensions of the laurel wreath led to the crossed rifles being omitted,but eventually the badge was rendered in white metal and so was readily recognisable as SASC.