Can You Identify This?

[GPS]

This badge was found 2-3 feet underground in Clarksburg, West Virginia by the West Fork River, in a backyard, 60 years ago.  I'm guessing it is a Shriners badge, although I haven't seen one quite like this. It was discovered along with a handfull of Indian Head pennies from the 1800's. I'm wondering if anyone has seen one like this before or has any idea of the history of these badges.

[mariok54]

I don't know if they have lodges, as the Masons do, but perhaps the variations reflect this? Shriners still operate (excuse the pun!), so it might help to contact them, and they may even be able to help you out as to why it might have been found at that location?

[waywardangler]

It is a Shriner symbol. It appears to be iron? Hard to say what it came from but it is not an uncommon object. For history, just Google Srhiner symbol and you can find the meaning of any part of the badge...scimitar, crescent, 5 pointed star.

[GPS]

Thanks for the replies. Does anyone know if the emblem changed throughout the years? This doesn't appear to be a common format. I've searched the internet and can only find the current version.  Wondering if the symbol changed from state to state or country to country or if this is this an uncommon early version of the emblem?
Anyone up on their Shrine emblem history?

[waywardangler]

This is the symbol found in Forest Lawn cemetery. http://www.buffaloah.com/a/forestL/symbols/index.html

If you look on this site, you will see various Shriner fraternal jewelry with the scimitar through the crescent or in back of the crescent instead of the crescent hanging from the scimitar. http://www.fraternaltreasure.com/servlet/the-Shriners/Categories

And if you look on this site http://uk.ebid.net/for-sale/mason-scimitar-crescent-moon-star-award-trophy-applique-45610317.htm you can buy a NOS trophy applique with that design.

The format appears to be common to me.