Embroidered Cloth Proficiency Diamond Efficiency Badge as worn by Volunteer Rifle Corps / Volunteer Battalions, 1879 - 1909

Introduced in 1879 and withdrawn from wear in 1909 (I can confirm this for definite as I have a sealed pattern of this item in my own collection and it has been annotated as such). Worn on the lower right sleeve just above the Austrian knot. It was awarded to volunteers 'returned as efficient in rifle drill and practice in the last annual return of their Corps'. The white diamond on scarlet was worn by volunteer infantry (but not rifle battalions which wore black on scarlet). Sanctioned obsolete in 1909. Item 32A in 'British Army Proficiency Badges' refers. Removed from uniform so shows some signs of wear but in generally good condition. Edwards & Langley, No 32A refers. Coll