Do You Know What This Is?

[Phillip Herring]

Here is an unusual badge. It is foreign, but with a British Connection.
I know what it is and I have its provenance.
Does anybody else out there know what it is?
I will post the info in a couple of days, or when I see the correct answer.
Please excuse the fuzzy scan.
Phil

[Phillip Herring]

I see there have been lots of views, but no guesses.
The badge is the capbadge to the Imperial Iranian Marines. In the late 1970s, the Shah of Iran wanted marines modelled on the Royal Marines. The UK sent Royal Marines to Iran to train the Iranians, but they had to evacuate in a hurry when the revolution erupted. One of the Royal Marines - I believe he was a Colour Sergeant at the time, later serving as CSM M Coy, 42 Cdo in the Falklands War and was subsequently commissioned - had promised my grandfather that he would get me an Iranian Marine capbadge. When he left Iran with whatever he could carry, the badge was in his pocket!
Although I really don't collect "foreign" badges, I just love the story that goes with this one, as well as the British connection.
Phil;

[Deejayuu]

Phil,
great provenance on the badge. I would pressume it to be a scarce badge.
Cheers, Dave

[Phillip Herring]

Better picture.

[Just]

Hello Phil

Iranian Navy

cordially
Didier

[Phillip Herring]

They may have come under the navy, like the RM and USMC, but this badge was worn by marines.
Refer to this photo - collar badges and shoulder flash.