88 TARGET PRACTICE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



instruction battalion, 3 ; and to the men of the first class, 20. 



Badges are also allowed to noncommissioned officers and 

 reenlisted men serving at recruiting depots. 



In the competitions for these insignia only men who have 

 fully qualified in their respective classes are considered. The 

 badges are assigned to those who qualified with the least 

 number of shots ; if these be equal, to those making the most 

 bull's-eyes and hits in the figure, and, lastly, to the highest 

 number of points. 



Men who obtain badges receive with them a certificate from 

 the company commander, and notation of the same is made 

 on descriptive books and discharge papers. The badge is 

 forfeited by reduction to a lower class, but is restored when 

 standing is reestablished. It may be retained by the winner 

 when transferred to the reserve. 



HONOR PRIZES. 



Separate annual competitions are instituted for officers and 

 noncommissioned officers. The winner, if an officer, receives 

 a sword or saber, and if a noncommissioned officer, a watch, 

 presented in the name of the emperor. The prizes are in- 

 scribed with the name of the winner and year of the competi- 

 tion. To each army corps three prizes are allotted, one for 

 the best shot among the officers, and two for the best shots of 

 the noncommissioned officers of the infantry. 



The competitions are held on the various ranges in July or 

 August of each year. All officers and noncommissioned offi- 

 cers who are required to take part in the firing at known dis- 

 tances, present at the time and not prevented by sickness or 

 other duty, take part. Field officers are permitted to compete 

 in the officers' match. Detached officers and noncommissioned 

 officers take part in the competitions at the place where they 

 are serving, if they have not joined in that of their own corps 

 in the same year. Those who have won prizes are debarred 

 from further competitions. 



The target used is the ring target with 24 rings, instead of 

 12 as in the ordinary target. The service arm and ammu- 

 nition are used. 



The range is 150 meters, number of shots 7, 3 standing, with 

 rest, 4 staixling offhand ; one sighting shot, previously an- 

 nounced, is permitted. The prize can not be won with a score 

 of less than 140 points. The highest score wins, ties being 

 decided by counting the value of the shots backward. 



