Possible Rare Antique Knights Templar Hollywood # 56 Badge / Pin

Description

I researched the badge as I was not quite sure what fraternal order it came from and found it to be for the Knights Templar. They are the final order of the York Rite of Freemasonry.
See below the description for more Knights Templar info.
Our badge is from the Hollywood, Ca. Commandery  (Lodge) # 56.
I am giving the piece a circa of 1905 for the following reasons. The name Hollywood was recorded on a land deed for subdivision in 1887.  Robbins Co. originated in 1892. The piece has an original C clasp. My final reason is when doing research  and looking at probably 400 plus badge photos it appears that almost all of these three piece badges had dates assigned. The dates ranged from approx. 1900 to 1920. I have not been able to find a date for the Hollywood Commandery's charter nor it's closure or a merging as it does not exist today. The only proof I have of it's existence is our badge and an article in the 1969 newsletter with proof it still existed in 1929 - hence my "Possible Rare" comment.
This three part medal/badge was manufactured by Robbins Co. of Attleboro, MA. I don't know what the base metal is on the top two parts but the bottom part's base appears to be copper with gold plating. So I can only assume the top two parts are the same.There are no broken/missing pieces of metal. The plating is intact with some scuffing and age graying lightly visible on front-more evident on backside. All three pieces have enameling. The enamel on the top is all intact. The black on the middle piece shows scuffing and a couple flea bites. In the center of the black is a small oval inside a Maltese cross. The top half of the oval is missing it's enamel. On the bottom piece there is missing white enamel plainly seen on the top two arms of the cross and a speck missing on the left side bottom arm point. The pin hinge, stem & C clasp are all the original. The piece measures a total of 5 1/4" long x 1 11/16" at widest point (Maltese Cross)
Additional Info:
*Per a K.T. Newsletter dated Oct. 1969: The Knights Templar order came to the US in the early colonial days thru immigration and the military. In 1969 the order
had almost 1600 Encampments (Lodges).
*Per info from the Grand Encampment USA website: When it emerged in the 1700's it was a part of Freemasonry and has now existed in the US for over 250 years. The first recorded date is Aug. 1769 where a military captain received the Order of the Temple and in Dec. of 69 Paul Revere was Knighted. During these early years no governing body or form of lodge was created among the less then 500 known Knights in the then colonies. During the 1790's the idea of consolidation was proposed. The oldest organized unit (Encampment) with records found was in Charleston, NC - active in 1780 & possibly a bit earlier. In 1797 there was a Grand Encampment in Philadelphia with five city Encampments in PA. as well as one in New York City. In 1800 Knights of New London CT. participated in ceremonies of eulogy for George Washington. In 1801 an Encampment was organized in Boston & in 1802 one in Rhode Island. In later years more Encampments were formed in MA., ME., MD., VA., DE. as well as southern & northeastern states. In 1816 the US Knights Templar created their national body - "The General Grand Encampment". I have found that in some later year the national ruling body became entitled The Grand Encampment of Knights Templer USA. An individual state ruling body became a Grand Commandery while the state's individual city/regional groups became a Commandery with an assigned number.
*Per another Knights Templar state website I found: The Knights Templar is a Christian-oriented fraternal organization. Originally the Knights Templar were laymen who protected and defended Christians traveling to Jerusalem. Today, the Knights Templar display their goodwill by fund-raising for several charitable causes with activities such as breakfasts, dinners, dances, and flea markets. They support Masonic related youth groups, send pastors to the Holy Land and they raise millions of dollars for medical research and educational assistance. Today membership consists of people from all walks of life, including doctors, lawyers, clergy, businessmen and entertainment personalities, all of whom profess a belief in the Christian Religion. The Templars are the top ranking Masonic organization in the York Rite of Freemasonry. All Knights Templar are members of the world’s oldest fraternal organization (Freemasonry) but not all masons are Templars. Two more famous Knights include President James Garfield & astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
We are seniors and as my husband has health problems I try to only do errands, like Ebay shipping, on Tues. and Fridays.