Canada, Dominion. A 103Rd Regiment (Calgary Rifles) Cross-Belt Badge, C.1912

In die-stamped sterling silver, voided, measuring 69.5 mm (w) x 81.5 mm (h), all four screwposts intact, the two lateral ones with hexagon-shaped nuts affixed, maker marked "J.R. GAUNT MONTREAL" and numbered "14" on the accompanying silver support plate, the badge exhibiting spotting along with residue evident in the recessed from cleaning on the obverse, the reverse of the badge with some discolouration, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The 103rd Regiment (Calgary Rifles) was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Non-Permanent Active Militia, authorized at Calgary, Alberta, Canada, by General Order on April 1, 1910. It was raised in Calgary as a militia unit. The first commanding officer was Lieutenant-Colonel W.C.G. Armstrong, with the regiment approved to train six companies of fifty men each, and was later expanded to eight companies. Upon the outbreak of the First World War, the regiment was not mobilized but served as a recruiting depot to raise battalions for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), the first being the 10th Battalion, CEF. The regiment also provided soldiers to man the internment camp at Castle Mountain. These soldiers were also employed full time as part of the Active Militia. A number of reinforcement battalions were commanded by former 103rd Regiment officers, including Lieutenant-Colonel William Armstrong (56th Battalion (Calgary), CEF) and Lieutenant-Colonel George Morfitt (137th (Calgary) Battalion, CEF). The 103rd Regiment was reorganized into two regiments in 1920 (the Calgary Regiment and The Alberta Regiment), each of which was re-organized into two regiments a few years later. None of the new units adopted the rifle regiment traditions of the 103rd. One of the resulting four regiments (the North Alberta Regiment) was disbanded in the 1936 re-organization of the Militia, but three present-day regiments claim descent from the 103rd: the South Alberta Light Horse, the King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC) and the Calgary Highlanders. These regiments perpetuate the 10th, 31st, 50th, 56th, 82nd, 89th and 137th Battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force all of whom were either raised in, or contained soldiers from, Calgary. The design of this badge is illustrated on page 163 of "Canadian Militia Badges Pre 1914" by Daniel Mazeas (SBP.286.).