1903 Shooting Award

[Erwin]

Can anyone give me some information on this badge please which I believe is some sort of shooting award. I realise the crown is missing, the only other one I've seen was a 1905 example in a Juncker catalogue. I'm guessing it was worn on the upper arm?

Thanking you in advance
Erwin

[Chip M]

This was a shooting prize for infantry units from 1903. It was originally issued backed with a wool oval and a metal backing plate. It was worn on the upper arm. They were given out to soldiers of the best marksman company in each army corps. It was worn for one year until the next competition. It had to be given back unless won for a second time, in which case, one could permanently keep it.

Chip

[Erwin]

Thanks Chip for that comprehensive answer, just what I wanted to know.
With that in mind could this badge be considered scarce?

Cheers Erwin

[Chip M]

Erwin,

These badges are desirable, but unfortunately not in this condition. With the crown removed and both cloth and backing plate missing, it is not very collectable.

Just doing some rough figuring, there were approximately 3,300 of these infantry badges given out per year (22 corps [incl. 3 Bavarian corps] x 1 company of 150 enlisted men per corps). The XX. and XXI. corps did not exist in 1903.

Chip

[Erwin]

Thanks again Chip

I bought this in with some WW1 NZ badges so it doesn't owe me a lot and I suppose it is better than nothing.

Erwin

[nzef1940]

Here is another N.Z vet example sweated onto a German flare gun casing.