WW1 Canadian CEF Crossed Rifles Marksman Qualification Badge

The WW1 Canadian CEF Crossed Rifles Marksman Qualification Badge was issued to members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. This badge signified that the wearer had achieved a qualifying level of marksmanship with the service rifle. The design features two crossed rifles, typically produced in brass or bronze, and was worn on the lower sleeve of the uniform. Such badges were awarded as part of the CEF’s system for recognizing proficiency in shooting, an essential skill for infantrymen during trench warfare. The CEF, comprised of volunteers from across Canada, adopted British military traditions, including qualification badges such as this one. The crossed rifles motif has been a long-standing symbol for marksmanship within Commonwealth military forces. The badge measures approximately 4 to 5 centimeters across, with attachment points on the back for sewing onto fabric. This item represents the emphasis placed on firearm proficiency in early twentieth-century military training.