Hat Badge? Flag Holder?

[tcornel]

I found this next to a mid 1800's house. It measure about 2" high x 2.5" wide at the bottom.

The holder in the front confuses me. It makes me think it might be a cemetery flag holder but most markers are a lot thicker than this is.
There is no attachment method on the back although it could have deteriorated off.

There is a star within the star, 3 dots above it and 2 dashes on the side.. Above the star is a crescent with a diamond pattern. Above that is 5 stars along the top.

The sides contain markings that look like a snake but I cannot discern a head.

On the left hand side is a drilled hole.

Any help with an ID will be appreciated. ISLAMIC?

Tom

 

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[vhs07]

Is that the Shriners emblem?

 

[sutphin]

DANG THAT IS A NICE FIND, I WOULD SAY HAT BADGE .

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Ottoman Turkish, perhaps?

 

[H-2 CHARLIE]

Find the gun that goes with the badge

 

[nhbenz]

On the lower right corner of the front it is marked "depose" (Registered in French) so French made I would think.
-enlarge and turn counterclockwise to see

 

[tcornel]

Good eye. I never saw that. Any clue as to what it represents or means?

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Neat.... Reminds me of a New Orleans police badge...

 

[tcornel]

Can anyone read the islamic writings on both sides of the star?

 

[nhbenz]

I'd contemplated that being foriegn text, but it's symetrical from side to side, so I don't think it is... I think it's just a design. The crescent moon and star could be just that too, rather than being affiliated with any group. They were common enough design elements in the art nouveau period.

 

[tcornel]

Quite possible. Our club was at a show tonight promoting the hobby and a graduate theology student looked at the piece. He felt it was a shoulder badge from an Islamic speaking military country. Possible Middle Eastern or Indian. He suggested that the dots and dashes around the star were a designation of rank. I have tried to search for confirmation without success.

 

[old digger]

It does have the cresent and star symbol which is Islamic, but it also has similar references to the Shriners, and Eastern Star groups. I'm wondering if the five stars have any significance?