Gary, He may not be a sergeant major in this case. I quote from BRITISH ARMY PROFICIENCY BADGES by EDWARDS and LANGLEY page 34 ' To be worn by sergeant instructors of musketry, School of Musketry above four bar chevrons. In practice all S-I-M wore the crossed rifles and crown above chevrons'. In the same book there is a photograph of a soldier in a volunteer regiment wearing the badge above a 4 bar set of chevrons in 1878. See page 36. Unfortunately the book does not state his rank just the appointment as S-I-M. I also have Major Dawnay's book on the evolution of WO and NCO rank badges and will dip into it and let you know if I can find anything. The answer could be clouded by the fact that Wendy's man was from a Volunteer Battalion rather than a Line Battalion. As you may be aware VB often 'did it their way' or at least their colonels did. All the best JOHN CRONIN (CHRISTCHURCH DORSET UK) If you believe in freedom thank a VETERAN not a politician.