Scouts

[Mycroft]

Yep, it is probably fromt he late 1800s early 1900s. Those just don't grow on trees. Most of them are long gone.
The merit badges on one sleeve and the rank on the other is something I have never seen before. The rank still looks like the First Class Rank though. I wonder how he got so many merit badges without advancing in rank though. Maybe that is not the rank on the sleeve?

Regards to all,

J

I think that is just a Boy Scouts of America patch with their emblam like this one:

 

[jamespowers]

I don't think so because it is different from the First Class Rank patch that they still use today:

See the difference without the motto and knot hanging from the motto?
The guy must have been a go getter at first anyway.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Matt Deckard]

I think The emblem in that location means he was the Senior Patrol Leader.

 

[Solid Citizen]

Being an Eagle Scout in the mid 1960's the patch on the right sleeve yes, may be a patrol leaders one. In the 1950's/1960's that emblem on the shirt chest pocket indicated 1st Class Scout rank. the uniform is probably from the 1930's/1940's. The stars above the chest pocket are service stars/number of year in scouting. The uniform is desirable because it is an early sleeved/collared/belted jacket. The merit badges on the sleeve add a lot to the value. Peter

 

[jamespowers]

Geez, seeing the jacket on my home monitor makes all the difference in the world. I am not sure about the SPL patch though. They looked different when I was in that position and they look even more different now. This is what they look like now:

They always seem to say Senior Patrol Leader on the patch though. I cannot tell formt he picture but it appears that this one does not.
You are right though SC, I remember the pocket being the place where one wore one's rank. It looks as thought it has been removed from this example though. Sure would be interesting to see this up close and personal.
You are also right about the service stars. I didn't remember the regular scouts having them though. I thought they were for the scoutmaster and such. There probably have been many changes since I was last involved though.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Rigby Reardon]

Checking in - Eagle Scout. Found my sash and uniform last time I was back in my hometown in NY...ah, the memories...I got my first speeding ticket in full uniform. Long story. (Short version is the cop thought I must be drunk to be dressed like that. I chose not to point out that I was dressed just like him. Maybe I should have gone for it, wouldn't have made a difference. )

I haven't seen badges on the sleeve, either...even in the OLDER stuff we had around when I was a kid, so was that EVER standard, or just an option? As for the shoulder patch, if it's that old, who KNOWS what the insignia could stand for - without a closer pic. Any number of updates since then could have also updated the insignia. I seem to recall seeing older Star and Life scout emblems that weren't encircled by the star and heart (respectively), but had them inset over the flor de lis. I can't tell what's in the center of that, it could just be a US shield device, but it could just as easily be a blue star in that pic.

Matt, this is great stuff, thanks for the memory trip. I'm thinking of helping out again now that my kids are growing...but I was blessed w/ girls. My oldest just became a brownie. I insisted on the brown skort & vest, since that's what my sister's wore back in the 70's. I guess I'll start pitching in, but I can't bake, so they're going to have to learn knots and knifework...and be feared among the other 1st grade girls.

 

[Solid Citizen]

Tell me Rigby you weren't speeding in uniform to your Eagle Board of Review? The chest pocket rank badges 1st class, star & life were also available in metal enamel in the 60's. In the 50's/60's onlly professional Scouters wore the full taillored jackets, they were impressive. Nice thread! Peter

PS Still wondering whether the Scout who owned this uniform wore a neckerchief or tie plus his campaign style hat???

 

[Blackgrass]

Another Eagle Scout checking in here. I'm not a big fan of the way the uniform has changed over the years. As others have mentioned I think the uniform is overpriced and a bit out of reach for some families on a tight budget.
I don't like the collared shirts at all. To look good in a necherchief you would have to turn your collar underneath your shirt which was always a bit uncomfortable. The neckerchief and slide was always a big part of the scouting look and it just doesn't look as nice with the modern uniform.
I come from a scouting family. My father and his brother are both Eagle Scouts as well as my brother and myself. Some of my best childhood memories are from the scouts. I went to Philmont when I was 15 or so and had a awesome time. Sometimes I sit around and dream about working in one of those backcounty camps...man....what a summer that would be! My brother spent a couple of years there as a ranger and loved it. I have a few old patches, books and a nice old cookset complete with the canvas cover as well as all my old awards and photos.
I read where someone mentioned old troop lockers...Can you guys remember how all that old stuff smelled? Especially the old canvas tents and backpacks! :cheers1:

 

[Solid Citizen]

Hi Blackgrass, boy a gathering of Eagles so to speak. My Brother made it to Philmont, instead I took Jr. Leader Training Course @ Schiff Scout Reservation, a great place that no longer exists. Ebay has some cool 1937 Washington D.C. Jambo stuff up for auction including an ultra rare troop flag, I'm pretty certain FDR was at the event to speak & welcome the Scouts. Probably the best looking ever Jamboree patch was the 1937 one! Peter :beer:

PS I concur with you on the current uniforms vs. the older ones

 

[Trickeration]

Our Future Eagle Scout

This is my son, Chris, in a serious mood. He's very proud of his patrol, in which he's assistant patrol leader. We're pretty happy with his troop. They're very active and have many boys who make Eagle, even thought the troop is quite small. Both of our neighbors sons were Eagles through this troop. Several of the boys are going to Philmont in a few months, my son will most likely go in 2 years. My son will be a tenderfoot in a week or so, and he's very determined to make Eagle. Also, he wants to get a vintage uniform,1950's or earlier. Pretty cool.

The clarinet player in our big band and one of the bass players I used to play rockabilly with are also Eagle Scouts.

 

[Trickeration]

Forgot to ask, anyone know where can I see photos of vintage uniforms with dating? I'm watching several auctions, but I'm not sure of the ages of the uniform pieces I'm looking at. Thanks! Trix

 

[Rigby Reardon]

Tell me Rigby you weren't speeding in uniform to your Eagle Board of Review?

.... ...okay, Solid, own up, do you know me IRL? The fact is I was speeding FROM my Eagle Board Of Review! Not kidding, either. What a way to celebrate just getting my Eagle, eh?

Trix, that's a good solid man you're building there. He looks taller in his uniform than he did in his cap - you tell him so, that uniform adds respect. I see he got his Arrow Of Light, too - that means you get credit for seeing him through all of that, no Cub makes it all the way through Webelos without the de facto Den Mother at home.

Sorry I'm off topic, folks, this is just a sentimental topic. I can't help w/ the uniforms, so I'll stop now.

But you're right, Solid, the collarless shirt was the best - jersey style.

P.S. Trix - I see a LOT of auction for WWI style (or Smoky The Bear style) scout hats - look around before you commit on one of those.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Some great stories and nice to see your son in full uniform Trix.

The patches were very different back in the 1910s and the in many cases the boys went off the pins on the uniforms or their hats for rank or position. The uniform was a copy of the WWII Uniform and in most cases worn with shorts per the tradition set by Lord Baden Powell and the English Scouts.

Little known fact: current uniform rules allow you to wear your merrit badges on the right sleeve of a long sleeve shirt. If you pick up one of those uniform inspection sheets at your local sho you will see this shown and mentioned.

BSA used to make a reproduction of the 1911 Handbook for Boys and I have a copy of that repro... it is very good and if you get the chance to track one down I suggest you buy.


1910\/

 

[Scuffy]

How could I forget about Philmont! That was my one dream in scouts- and the one trip that always eluded me!

Working at the camp we really got into trading patches. Unfortunately none of the patches were really old but there were still some pretty interesting ones. Kids had them from many different jamborees and events as well as just different council patches. Those seemed to be the favorites. I'll have to dig up some pix them. Most of the stuff I have packed away to keep it safe (I seem to have bad luck with things like this if I keep them out where things can get ruined! lol ) I do have two of my dad's copies of the Scout Handbook from what I think was the 50's, I'll have to go check. It has a greenish cover and a Scout walking acroos it with Handbook in hand. Those were sharp uniforms. And yes, much has changed. The old books had some outstanding wilderness skills in them. Actual skills that could be learned and utilized without a load of gear to accompany it. It was like a McGyver course- all ya needed was a knife. (And they used to be allowed to carry sheathed knives instead of folders!) Now, or at least when I was in Scouts the handbook had to cover things like drugs and alcohol use and other such things to reinforce what kids are now taught in school and occasionally at home. What is now the fieldbook is closer to what the handbook used to be. If you guys get the chance pick one of those up. Fun stuff in there!

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

I have my dad's handbook from the 50's which shows a group a scouts sitting around a campfire at night on the cover as well as that reproduction handbook from the teens that Matt has mentioned in addition to the one I used when I was in scouts.

I have a bunch of my dad's scouting stuff from the 50s as well. What is neat is that since it was the immediate post-war era scouts used a whole lot of USGI surplus equipment. Everything from the packs to the canteens and the web belts in addition to the regulation BSA equipment of the period.

The old equipment, especially the GI stuff was much better made (although heavier) than the modern equipment we used. The thing that always annoyed the heck out of me was how people would always grossly overpack. It is really surprising just how little you actually need to survive on a backpacking or camping trip. Most of the stuff people would bring was just dead useless weight.

 

[Blackgrass]

Sort of an interesting story:
I was playing cards one night with a group of friends and somehow the Boy Scouts were brought up in our conversation. It turned out that 5 out of the 7 of us were Eagle Scouts. I'm sure you guys know the odds of that happening is pretty rare. Anyho....thanks for all the stories and reminders!
Ben

 

[Trickeration]

Thanks Rigby and Matt for for the kind words about Chris. He always wears his uniform with pride, and takes his roll of Boy Scout seriously. We bought a pair of 1950's uniform pants on eBay the other day. There was a 1941 uniform also, but it's about one size too small for him :cry:.

However, a friend who works at Fort MacArthur said they're looking for a troop or individual boys who would be interested in suiting up as 1930's Scouts for some of their events. They have about a dozen uniforms available. I'm going to talk to my son's leaders tonight about our troop doing this. The boys would also learn about the Scouts roll during wartime. I hope this pans out. The Scouts often seem to get so busy with current events and quals, that they don't spend much time on the earlier history.

 

[Rigby Reardon]

The boys would also learn about the Scouts roll during wartime. I hope this pans out. The Scouts often seem to get so busy with current events and quals, that they don't spend much time on the earlier history.

:O

You just brought back a memory of my father, and what he did during WWII as a kid. I'll look around to make sure you didn't start a thread for this, since it's only slightly Scout related at this point.

J

 

[Mr. Jason]

more scout stuff

I was is scounts for a while. Like many when I turned 16 I had better things to do.

For part of my time in scouts I was in Troop 1 Paducah, KY. At this point the troop is about 95 years old. We had this old Marine for a Scout Master who saw a good bit of action in Vietnam, still had a bullet in his stomach. The nicest man, much less Scout Master, I have ever met. We walked in parades with a big bass drum and everything. Now for the reason I started this story. We wore Smoky the Bear hats. While I was in the troop our Scout Master got someone to make special pins to go on the front of our hats. They looked what is on the First Class badge. Apparently they were worn at some time. The whole thing was really cool. I still have that damn hat some place. The sad part is I lost a whole box of patches and the pin for my hat.

Scouting today: Lately something has been driving me crazy. It started when I was on my way out and as far as I can tell still continues. The boys are supposed to wear uniforms all the dang time. In the car, on camping trips.
I know the uniform isn't that expensive but I know a few people who just can't pay for it. When I was a scout the uniform was suggested and you had to have it for parades and stuff but we would never not let someone come to the meeting or camping trip just cause they didn't have the right shirt. Also, the mothers and fathers knew who didn't have much money and always chipped in to get the boy a uniform if he needed it, I'm sure that goes on today but it just seems like to a less degree. I may just be taking a piss here cause as I learned when I moved the Scouting in Paducah is not like the scouting where I live now. Don't get me wrong I love NC lived here all but those 2 years of my life I spent in Paducah but scouting at Troop 1 was done right.

Oh yea one more thing. Why did they take all the damn color out of the patches. Now they are all brown and boring.

Philmont: I went to visit one of my college roomates after we both graduated and he wasn't there. I asked where he was and his sister said the last time anyone saw him he had just come back to camp and was going back out the next day. Apparently he had a full beard and was covered in dust from his head to his toes.

Sorry for the venting.

 

[Trickeration]

I have to agree with you about how the scouts have to wear their uniforms all the time. The boys can be pretty hard on their uniforms. Especially the Webelos and first year Boy Scouts. I'd like to see more of the class "b" for work and messy events. We have 2 guys that run events with our troop. One has the kids go to and from camp in uniform and the other says wear clothes to get dirty. The first guy does let the kids change at camp, but usually, they get pretty dirty either setting up or breaking down. If my son were to get all greasy, or (God forbid) skunked, it would cost about $100+ to re-outfit him. And he's always growing, as boys do.

The one thing that has helped out greatly has been thrift stores. I've gotten my son 3 extra pairs of uniform pants at thrift stores as he's outgrown older pairs.

When my husband was on active duty, there was a unifrom thrift shop on the base. It was a great place to get extra work uniforms and even dress jackets. Most were donated by people who leaving the military. I even got myself a great pea coat there. I'd like to see the scouts offer something like that. A lot of uniforms do get ruined by the boys, but a lot turn up in thrift stores in great shape. It would be nice to see those uniforms all in one place for the parents to find easily.

As I say that, I can see my husband saying, get it going then. I guess we'll see where that goes! Trix

PS I do have a skunk recipe that we used on my sister-in-laws dog, so if he Chris does meet a skunk, I'm ready. Doesn't do as much for clothes as it does for skin, though.