Mysterious Symbolism on Lapel Pin Fraternal or Secret Society? Very Interesting

[WoodnHead]

I bought this small lapel pin today for $1 as I was intrigued by the odd symbolism. I had checked the back and didn't see any marks due to scratches. Once I got it home and looked with a loupe I can see that it's marked CTD STERLING on the back.

Some symbolism notes:
I'm assuming orientation with the circle at the top...
An open oval/circle with arrows at both ends surrounds what looks like a clock face? The numbers look like they are replaced by either doors, or the letter D? The top shape is with a closed door or a filled D. There is a hand in the middle that points to the 9:00 position. There is a dot to the right of the D shape. The 6:00 position is replaced with a map compass typeof shape - a 4 spoked wheel symbol, with smaller spokes inside the circle. There are two symbols that look like Ds or locks.

Anyone recognize this? Thanks!

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[yaxthri]

This is weird, I'll be thinking about this on my way home today...

 

[Joe-Dirt]

Looks like it may be Odd fellows related

 

[namxat]

That looks very interesting to me. But I cant relate the symbolism to anything.

I just have two toughts to share:

Could the Cross be a highly stylized Rose Cross? Would hint to masonic and/or rosicrucian background

Could the "hallmark" of CTO actually be a badly stamped OTO? Than you would have a outright satanistic background. But, would they use crosses as symbols (other than inverted)?


Greets

Namxat

 

[WoodnHead]

That looks very interesting to me. But I cant relate the symbolism to anything.

I just have two toughts to share:

Could the Cross be a highly stylized Rose Cross? Would hint to masonic and/or rosicrucian background

Could the "hallmark" of CTO actually be a badly stamped OTO? Than you would have a outright satanistic background. But, would they use crosses as symbols (other than inverted)?


Greets

Namxat

Thanks!

I'll have to look into the cross shape a little more, but you're right in that it is CTO (not CTD). I found that company online and the logo matches. O.C.Tanner Co. They seem to do primarily industry service award items. Hmmmm maybe the symbols represent product usage in a specific industry. Very curious!

 

[dougolf2]

Regardless of the symbolism, that's a cool purchase for $1. I do hope you get some answers to your questions, though.

 

[HuntinDog]

You say you assume the orientation is with the circle at the top...

Is it still the same way when you put the "CTO STERLING" at the bottom and look at the front?
Just a thought that may help..
I sure as h... don't know what it is.
Can't beat it for a buck though...

 

[mcl]

Possible waterwheel symbolism?

 

[nagant]

Don't have a clue but nice camera work!

 

[fyrffytr1]

Not that it helps but I think the circle should be at the bottom and the cross on top. I can't remember ever seeing an upside down hand on anything posted here before. The company is still in business so you mighttry contacting the support staff and see if they can help you?

https://www.octanner.com/contact-us/choose.html

 

[WoodnHead]

Ok. Here is how the pin is viewed from the front if the logo reads correctly from the back (right side up, etc...).

I'm thinking possibly a safe/ bank vault manufacturer? The wheel reminds me of the wheel on a vault, combined with the 2 small lock? images? Possibly the arrows suggest one direction to lock, the other to unlock? The hand could be pressing code buttons?

Again, thanks for all the input.

 

[WoodnHead]

I may just have to reach out to them. Thanks, fyrffytr1! I thought topside up for the thumb as well, but as an artist that orientation just bugged me. I think I read the shapes in the circle as Ds and it bugs me because they look backwards.

 

[nagant]

Those small lock things look like chest or maybe safety deposit box handles , i like your bank related idea.

 

[fyrffytr1]

Please post a picture of the whole back.

 

[WoodnHead]

Here is the back. It is very deliberately abraded, and may be a rework. The pin back does seem to have a larger soldering pad than you would expect with original manufacture, so maybe either a repair or a re-make from a different type of piece? I didn't notice the marks until I looked at home - bottom left on piece.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I think your best bet would be to contact the company. I have looked at images for hours and can't find anything remotely like it.

 

[WoodnHead]

Thanks for the effort! I certainly appreciate it, and have been very surprised at the lengths folks go to figure out some of the things people post.

It's a long shot, but I'll get in touch with the company and see what they think.

 

[A2coins]

Still haven figured this one out that looks like a hand pointing instead of an arrow let us know when you solve it...Good luck