Variations in Cloth Rank Badges
Scroll Variation
One of the notable variations in the early rank badges was the height and width of the scroll. One was thicker and narrower, the other was thinner and wider. This variation occured in both the second class and first class badges, and in the silver patrol leader second and first class badges.
Quill Variation
Another notable variation in the early rank badges were the two distinct types of detailing in the quills. One has smooth-edged quills and the other has ruffled quills. These variations occured in all the scribe combination badges.
Scroll Change
In 1939, there were two significent changes in design to the rank badges. One change was the smile height of the scroll. The badges up to 1939 had a high smile and beginning in 1939, they had a new low smile. This change occured in both the second class and first class badges.
Crown Change
The other significent change in 1939 was the height of the crown. The badges up to 1939 had a squatty-wide crown above the eagle and beginning in 1939, they had a new tall crown with a line in the crown. This change occured in the tenderfoot and first class badges.
Tenderfoot Badges
Second Class Badges
First Class Badges
Life, Star and Eagle Badges
This is not an official site of the Boy Scouts of America. The rank badges are scaned images of Ron Vinatieri's collection and the scanned images are copyright. You are welcome to print these pages for your reference. However, if you would like to use the images in any other manner, you must receive permission from Craig Murray.