WW1 Canadian CEF 166 Shoulder Number Insignia Single

The WW1 Canadian CEF 166 Shoulder Number Insignia Single is an original brass badge issued to members of the 166th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, during the First World War. This rectangular insignia features the stamped number “166,” designating the specific battalion. Such shoulder numbers were typically worn on the upper shoulder straps of the service dress uniform, identifying a soldier’s assigned unit. The 166th Battalion was raised in Toronto, Ontario, and mobilized in 1916 as part of Canada’s larger effort to support Allied operations in Europe. The insignia is constructed from brass, with lug fasteners on the reverse for attachment. Canadian battalion numbers played an important role in unit identification and organization throughout the war. This shoulder title represents a specific element of Canada’s military contributions during the conflict and serves as a reference point for collectors, historians, and researchers interested in CEF militaria from the 1914–1918 period.