Can anyone identify this badge?

[gareth herts]

Morning all

I came across this (looks like a cap badge) yesterday among some of my late Grandads' bits and pieces. I apologise if it turns out not to be of aviation related origin but one or two people have suggested it might be Luftwaffe. Personally I have no idea - and a quick search on the web has yet to reveal anything similar.

I don't know much about the history - Grandad was in the Army (one of Montgomery's drivers!) and collected a few things on the way, this might be one of them or it could be something from a later time.

Any help greatly appreciated!

Thanks folks

Gareth

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e185/garethstringer/25022008307.jpg

[larssnowpharter]

The style and positioning of the eagle (?) is very similar to that on the Italian Infantry officer's cap badge.

[gareth herts]

That gives me another area to search in then - thank you!!

And it would actually make more sense considering my Grandfathers background.

Any other hints appreciated!

[Geezers of Nazareth]

... and the eagle (?) appears to be perched upon a Maltese Cross. Maybe there is some connection with Malta?

[S'land]

The eagle is similar to that of the Italian "Alpini", one of the elite Italian regiments. The Fascists made a lot of changes to the military in WWII and I would think that you would need to contact one of the Alpini associations, such as:
http://www.glialpini.com/

The site is in Italian, but if you go to the "forum" button at the bottom of the page you may well be able to ask a question about the badge. Don't worry about asking in English, many of the Alpini speak it very well.

The cross underneath may not be Maltese, but a representation of the Cross of Sayoy, the ruling family at the time.

Good luck.

You could also try the national Alpini Association (ANA) at:
http://www.ana.it/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=6

Probably best to sent to the Centro Studi e-mail address.

[gareth herts]

Thank you all for the help thus far!

[gareth herts]

All sorted - it's a Portugese paratroopers badge.

Thanks all!