Early Cub Scout Uniforms
Although we may look at early Cub Scout uniforms and think they're funny looking, the Cubs at that time were probably just as happy wearing them as they are today.
Sleeve
Until the 1970s, uniforms displayed the community strip at the top of the sleeve. From 1930 until 1952, the Cub Scout community strip was yellow lettering on a blue background. This changed in 1952 to white lettering on a red background for all scouting programs. In the 1970's scouting units began using the multi-color shoulder patches that are used today.
Pack Numbers
From 1930 until 1948, Cub Scout Packs used unit numerals in the traditional Cub diamond shape. In 1948, the Pack numeral insignia changed from the felt diamond to individual felt rectangular numerals. The colors for both types were blue on gold. Like the change in the community stripe in 1952, the Pack numeral insignia changed to white numbers on a red fully stitched background.
Den Number
The only change that has occurred in the Den Number is the location. From 1930 to 1940, the Den Number was under the Pack Number on the left sleeve. In 1940, the location changed to the right sleeve.
Denner Stripes
Until 1945, the Denner wore two stripes around his sleeve; the Assistant Denner wore one. Original stripes were finely braided silk ribbon that was purchased in a roll. Mom would sew this material around the denner's and assistant denner's left arm. In 1945, new, easier to sew-on (cut-edge) bars for Denners and Assistant Denners were introduced. Today, easy to pin on cords are used.
Early 1950s
The uniform below is from Pittsburgh, probably from the early 1950's because the rank badges and the temporary badge have moth holes in them which happens to felt badges.
Junior Scout
Steve Restelli sent these images of a Junior Scout uniform from Barre, Vermont. It is probably the oldest American scout uniform of any kind according to Steve. He states:
It dates from 1909 to early 1910 as our Troop 1 scout troop had a few boys who were age 9. One of these boys, Deane Davis, went on to become the Governor of Vermont. ~Steve Restelli stephen844@juno.com
More information about Troop 1.
Cubs, B.S.A
Larry McGarrah sent these images of a 1941 Cub uniform that he owns. Larry noted
It would appear that not all Cub Packs followed the handbook when displaying patches on the uniform. ~Larry McGarrah stephen844@juno.com
He also stated that he had never seen another one of these metal slides.
Below are the knee socks for the uniform. The bottom sock in the photo still has a faint BSA logo on the side of the foot. Also pictured are three different 1930s CUBS B.S.A. Beanies.
L-R; cotton beanie, all wool beanie, all wool beanie (see below)
(The rightmost beanie is also wool but has the gold band across the bill like the early English Cub Scout beanies.)
Credits:
- Except as noted, uniform pictures from John Burkitt's and Ben Lefever's collections.