VINTAGE BSA SERVICE STAR WITH YELLOW FELT - SCREW ON BACK 1933~1946

Description

VINTAGE BSA SERVICE STAR WITH YELLOW FELT - SCREW ON BACK 1933~1946
CUBS - GOLD OR YELLOW
SCOUT - GREEN
SENIOR SCOUT/EXPLORER - RED
ADULT - ROYAL BLUE
SERVICE STARS
In 1913 BSA originally awarded a green service stripe for the right sleeve for one year service,
and a red service stripe for three years service. In 1921 they added a gold service stripe for five
years service. Service stripes were abolished after October 1924.
In 1923 service stars were introduced in their stead. Generally, the first version lasted until
1946, but there are variations. A few came with bent tab backs, but almost all had screw back
posts. Boys and men received the same service stars, they just represented years of service. The
background color represented the years. Both Cubs and Cubbers wore the gold and blue service
stars. I have observed color variations in the gold (yellow) and green, but to my knowledge
these have no meaning.
In 1946 the scheme was changed to have the background show in which program the service
occurred, with an Arabic numeral to show how many years of service in that program. Thus, if
you were a Cub Scout two years, a Boy Scout three years, a Sea Scout two years and a leader for
five years, you wore stars with the 2 on gold, 3 on green, 2 on red, and 5 on blue. These still had
screw back posts. You will find that many are filed off, because the point hurt (I know from
experience!). The plain star was still produced, meant one year of service, and cost 7¢. The
numeral stars were produced in numerals from 1 to 37 (in 1946) and cost 15¢. Adults were
expected to wear just one service star in royal blue for all their Scouting service as a youth and
adult, but could wear each color if they earned it. At that time, an “order of precedence” was
established, with first star earned on the wearer’s left, and the last star on the right. In other
words, Cub, Boy Scout, Senior Scout, Adult, with the adult closest to the shirt buttons. The felt
star was associated with a 1948-9 uniform, showing they lasted until at least then.