wm5806

Please forgive me if this is as common as muck - my main collecting interest is not in militaria and this is something my grandfather gave me many years ago. It's a penknife which, according to the blade, was made by 'FW Backhaus, Ohligs, Solingen.' The handle has a printed design covered by perspex (now quite yellowed) with I think Kaiser Wilhelm on one side and someone else on the other one. I expect that it was a Christmas gift in a similar manner to the chocolate issued to British troops, but any information anyone might generously offer would be much appreciated. With thanks, Richard

You're both correct - it's from the Masonic Knights Templar and is a breast jewel worn by a Past Preceptor. The Preceptor is the approx equivalent to the Master of a Craft lodge and is like the leader/chairman for a year. The addition of a second horizontal bar on the central cross denotes a Preceptor. Does it have any value? Yes, if it's marked silver, starting I suppose at £30-ish and then increasing according to age and size.

Pretty sure it's neither Templar or Malta from the English Constitution, but I can't speak for Templars/Malta from other Constitutions. Are their any maker's marks on the reverse that might point to its country of origin?

I'm not sure if we're talking about the same thing? I'm referring to The United Religious and Military Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta, which certainly predates 1888 as the scan from the "Cosmopolitan Masonic Calendar, Diary and Pocket book for 1876" below shows: And a scan from HT Lamb's catalogue of 1877 shows a very similar jewel for a Prior in the Knights Malta:

Knights Malta cross, I think, which usually has a black ribbon. Very nice!

I think it could be the collar of a Chief Templar in the Independent Order of Good Templars. The jewel on his right breast depicts the symbols of faith, hope and charity, and the hanger of which shows the initials 'IOGT':

Hi, I don't think it is Masonic: the Independent Order of Good Templars (in England) was a Temperance organisation (i.e. anti-alcohol), and this looks like it may be connected to that. Hope that helps, Richard

Hi Garth Can't tell you much about the Buffaloes, although I can say that they aren't Freemasons (or therefore, 'Masonic'), albeit they are a fraternal organisation with similar charitable aims etc. However, there were at least four Masonic lodges in Iraq [names and numbers: Baghdad 4022, Iraq 4471, Mesopotamia 3820, Babylonia 4326) during the 'British Mandate of Mesopotamia' (for further details see an outline of the history here) - I'm not a historian by any means, so cannot comment on the accuracy of that article, but it does explain broadly why the British were there. Just as in India and other areas of the globe that saw a great influx of the British (military and civil) populations, it follows that they will bring various influences with them, including their social structures, organisations and interests. Just as there were some Masonic lodges there in that time, I am sure that there would also have been other organisations, such as the Buffaloes, Oddfellows, Foresters etc etc. I know the lodges were working until 1963, but understand them to have ceased working since then, due to the religious/political changes that have occurred in the country since then. I assume it's the same for other orgaisations, too. Hope that helps,

Perhaps I can help? 1. The star is worn on the tunic of the Masonic Knights Templar degree. Not particularly rare, but interestting due to its age. 2. The second (with the claret ribbon) is a PZ jewel. This is from a higher degree in Freemasonry, called the Royal Arch (which is organised into Chapters rather than Lodges), and signifies that the wearer held the (equivalent) post of Master of the Chapter. Again, not particularly rare, but notable because of its age and the fact that it doesn't have the Chapter's name or any dedication engraving on it. 3. The third does, as you rightly suggest, have its origins in Somerset. The jewel is that awarded to a Brother who has served (NB past tense) his Provincial Grand Lodge (Freemasonry at the county or district level) in the office of Provincial Senior Grand Warden and shows he is a Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden. The jewel would be worn suspended from a 'V' shaped collar. Again, it's not an especially rare item as there are plenty of modern equivalents but, like the others, its value lies in its age and the quality of the manufacturing. Hope that helps?

CT might mean Chief Templar? Could be a grade of membership of office held within that branch (Lodge ??) of the movement.

A useful booklet for the identification of fraternal items is "riendly and Fraternal Societies: Their Badges and Regalia" by Victoria Solt Dennis (Shire Publications. ISBN 9780747806288), which is sold by Play Available here, amongst others. Slightly cheaper to order it through WHSmith (£7.14) and collect in store but probably not as quick or possibly convenient. Useful price comparison search engine here: Bookkoob I have no connection with either of these links, but have received good service and useful information from both! Richard

Three things: 1. Certainly not English/Scottish/Irish Masonic regalia (IMHO, and I'm curator of a Masonic museum) 2. Collars of this style were common amongst a Temperance order: the Independent Order of Good Templars 3. Could the "1667" be "IOGT"? If so, then I think you probably have your answer. Hope that helps, Richard

Suspicions even stronger now that this is from the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB), another fraternal order that has some similarities witn (but no connection to) Freemasonry. Hope that helps, Richard

Better picture at last! Thanks to those that have helped so far, and thanks in anticipation of any further comments, Richard

Thanks Coldstream, Funnily enough, someone else (locally) rang me today to suggest the same thing! I have just logged in to add that information and found your message! Am hoping to have a better picture later this week - the owner lives a little way away from me and I need to make a special journey for it. Very gratefully yours, Richard