Antique Knights of Maccabee Temple Badge Pin high quality by Whitehead & Hoag 1900s KOTM

high quality For your consideration is a very nice antique large badge. The Knights of the Maccabee lodge badge (brooch as in pin) , originally for men but could also be used by women. This is of the first original pattern of this design and the earlier design, crafted by the Whitehead & Hoag Co., Newark, NJ, (USA). Made in the early 1900s, it has a Patent date of May 1st, 1900 . This has very impressive craftsmanship with very nice raised detail. Scripts are "K.O (with emblem), T.M". On the bottom portion of medallion: "ASTRA CASTRA , NUMEN , LUMEN" with center having painting or enamelling of the original Ontario Macrabee Lodge Temple with script "MACCABEE TEMPLE". It's very heavy and weighs around : 35 grams. It has been well kept and in excellent condition (as an antique , of course, having NO flaws worth noting. Measures about 3 1/3 inches tall and up to 2.1 inches wide for top portion . Bottom portion is a little over 1 3/4 inches wide (as in 1.8 inches) Hallmark , Marks and Rariety: Located on pin back: Both top portion and medalion portion "THE WHITEHEAD & HOAG CO. NEWARK , NY (USA), PAT. APPLIED FOR". Firm began filing in 1893. Marks are rare due to firm began filing patents in 1893 with having this mark "PAT. May 1st 1900" . One important aspect of its rarity is due to the fact that this was the first batch issued with patent date in the year 1900 which is considered rare Maker Info: Founded by Benjamin S. Whitehead & Charles Chester Hoag . These 2 silversmiths and medalist artists were well known for their remarkable craftmanship and produced much of the earlier Masonic orders medals. Knights of the Maccabees Info : A fratenal organization formed in 1878 , in London, Ontatio, Canada. "The Knights of the Maccabee " (KOTM), PRE-dating 1913 when name was shortened in plural as the Maccabees. The fraternity represented 'Protection, Friendship, and Loyalty" . The fratenal organization was NOT of the Knights Templar (who once protected and aided earlier Sicillian's Cosa Nostra as well as US Confederate States , according to some Historians) . Would make a nice gift. Or, own it yourself)!