unknown bullion trade patch

[badgecollector]

hi all
just rehashing this item.
i have never found out what it is or what nationality it could be.
any help appreciated
cheers
bc

[Postwarden]

The presence of press studs on the back suggest wear in a hot country. Although the crown looks a little unusual could it perhaps be a British Indian Volunteer Cavalry item, its design suggesting some sort of grade/proficiency in swordsmanship?

Jon

[badgecollector]

hi jon
thanks for your thoughts.
i agree its some sort of grade/proficiency in swordsmanship?
the crown has thrown me. looks to me italian? or european of some sort. but not british
cheers
bc

[peter monahan]

I agree - crown is not British. And 'Indian Volunteer cavalry' - I assume you meant Auxilliary Force India - used the same badges and rank and qualifications insignia as the British and Indian Armies.

Could it be Greek?

[sapper533]

It's funny you say that, I was thinking the crown looked Greek, also the Greek Cavalry's facing colour is Green but I have never seen anything like this but I will ask some wiser folk than me.
Cheers
Sean

[badgecollector]

Greek!
thanks guys. yes the crown does look similar.
worthy some further research
bc

[sapper533]

I have asked two very experienced Greek militaria collectors, one responded that he has never seen it before, I'm still waiting for a response from the other.
Cheers
Sean

[mule-73k]

I am going to put another possibility into the mix here.

I suspect that it may be a Spanish Franco period badge. The Spanish wear oval qualification badges on their uniforms with and without wreaths and the crown bears a lot of similarities to the crown worn during the Franco period.

They also operated in the Spanish Sahara etc and hence the 'tropical' pattern.

Just my option.

Dave