Description
This is from an old estate from years ago and has a lot of age patina that has not been touched or polished out ever. Looks like brass or goldtone. Made during the first decade of the Boy Scouts of America Organization this is a “Be Prepared” pin with a 1911 PAT date on the back alongside the BSA logo. It also has it original antique C catch intact and was never updated. Size is 7/8″ tall north to south by n3/4″ wide east to west. The front has a nicely detailed eagle in the central body of the well formed fleur de lis. The are also raised stars on the arms of the fleur de list and all is on a Victorian style textured gold pebbled background. Overall condition is excellent. No dents or dings or tears or deep scratches. Never altered or repaired. All original. The back pin rod is silver color metal and will need stronger polishing as it has more age patina. This is a lovely early example of first made original Boy Scout lapel/breast pins for your BSA or organizational antique male jewelry collection.
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- Estimated Era: 1911 to the early 1920s.
- Why the C-Clasp Matters: The “C-clasp” (a simple open metal loop that the pin rests inside without a locking safety lever) was the standard manufacturing method for jewelry and insignia from the late 19th century until it transitioned out in the 1920s. By the late 1920s and 1930s, the BSA switched almost entirely to locking safety catches (rollover clasps) to prevent scouts from losing their pins outdoors.
- The Bottom Loop: If your brass scroll has a small, empty wire loop or ring sticking out of the bottom center, it was originally the top half of a First Class or Eagle Scout medal. A separate metal piece (the fleur-de-lis or eagle) would have originally hung from it. If it has no bottom loop, it was worn standalone as a Second Class rank pin.
