This is likely the first equipment “catalog” for the Boy Scouts of America circa 1910. Actually it is a small eight page pamphlet. What is interesting is that it shows the first rank badges that are very much modeled off of the English ranks. This was before star, life or eagle ranks even existed.

Now adjusting for inflation, a uniform shirt that cost a $1.35 back in 1910 would be $43.20 today. Today’s shirts cost $40 so uniforming for Scouts has increased basically in line with inflation. (We won’t go into quality differences between the shirts though and that the shirts were USA made.)

All of the rank badges were pins and not cloth. Also, the leader insignia was hat plumes to be worn with the campaign-style hat.

We did an interview with senior collector Michael Feigenbaum who researched and documented the differences in these badges from their British counter parts. The video can be seen on YouTube here.