The 'STERLING' mark can be found somewhere on the back of the scroll, usually in this location next to the pin. In some rare cases the mark is not present.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Details for Advanced Collecting:

Clasp Types:   Large clasps (above, left) are usually found on the Rob 0 and some Rob 1a's. The small clasp (right) is by far the most common on all Robbins medals.

Open Beaks   Eagle beaks may be open or closed. Open beaks can be found on the Rob1c & 1d varieties. You can slip a piece of thin paper into the beak.

Notches on the back:   The Robbins 1a, b & c medals had a distinctive '^' shaped notch (above right) where the back met the tail feathers while the Rob1d's back had a straight line across the back. (above left)

Scroll Protrusions:

Small protrusions on the bottom of the scroll (above right) appear on some of the edges of the Robbins 1c and 1d. Most Rob 1 types have no protrusions.

Medal Variations:

 

Adults could earn the Eagle Badge! This is a rare example of an Eagle Medal (above) with a single drop ribbon. Awards similar to this were given to adults who qualified for the Eagle Badge. It was possible for an adult to earn the badge into the 1960's when the national office finally changed the requirements.

Military School Issue  Boys attending military schools were authorized to wear their Eagle Badge (above) with a specially provided ribbon so they would not stand out against their other medals. There is not much information recorded about this practice but there are some rare examples available of this interesting type.

Girlfriends of scouts were often the recipient of the boys' eagle pendant as a token of affection. Many times an Eagle Badge (ribbon and scroll intact) is found in its presentation box while the sterling silver eagle now rests in the jewelry case of a long ended 'crush' from years gone by. The image above shows either a very rare Rob 0 or a Rob 1a with missing pendant in a rare grey coffin box.

Other Eagle Scout Badges:

 

Eagle Knot  Sometime in 1947 scouts were issued a small embroidered patch of red-white-blue indicating the award of the Eagle Badge. The medal was intended for special occasions. The new knot system of awards took the place of military style ribbons issued earlier. These knots were mostly worn by adults.

Other knots were available for the highest adult and scout awards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robbins Company 1920-1978

The Robbins Company enjoyed a 58 year string of manufacturing the Eagle Scout Badge and produced at least 5 distinct versions and many sub-types. The Robbins 1's are the most confusing to the uninitiated. The variations are of acute interest to advanced collectors. Let's wade into this topic. The different subtypes are as follows:

 Robbins 0

Robbins 0 1920  (above)   The Robbins 0 was not 'discovered' until recently. It was not considered a true type until several had been confirmed separately by collectors.

Identification:  Just like the Foley and Dieges & Clust pendants the back of the pendant has a crude engraving with indistinct lines. The knot is a loop appearing like a noose. From the front the badge looks almost identical to the other Robbins' except that the ring on the Eagles head clearly goes behind the back of the head. All other Robbins have the ring on the top of the Eagle. The clasp is the largest spinlock Robbins would put on their Eagles. There is no other special Robbins hallmark.

Availability: Extremely scarce. Highly sought after. There are perhaps 13 known to be in collections making it among the most rare Eagle Badges. No serious collection is complete without this tough to find example.

 

   Robbins 1a

Robbins 1a 1920-1925  (above)  In 1920 the back of the pendant underwent a design change and became much more detailed. The example shown has an unusual white edging not often seen on these types. This medal type was awarded to General Robert Scott, Jr, Flying Tiger and author of 'God is My CoPilot'.

Identification:   'BSA' on the chest, beak is closed. Where the tail feathers meet the wings in the middle of the back you can find a '^' shaped notch. The back is also much more detailed than any previous medal. 'STERLING' is stamped on the back of the scroll in various locations.  Compare the ring on top of the eagles head with the Robbins 0.

The spinlock clasp can be either large or small. The pendant has a wingspan of up to 30 millimeters and is 27 mm from top of head to bottom of tail feathers.

Availability: Somewhat scarce. Actively sought after. The earlier large clasp types are even more difficult to find than the small clasp type.

Robbins 1b 1925-1926  The Rob1b was short lived and is most characterized by a notably smaller eagle pendant.

Identification: The pendant is only 27mm-28mm from wingtip to wingtip and is 25mm from the top of the head to the bottom of the tail feathers. 'BSA' on the chest, the beak is closed, there is the distinctive '^' notch on the back like the Rob 1a. The engraving and workmanship on the pendant is not as well developed compared to the other Rob1's.

Availability: Rare, tough to find. Actively sought after.

For Sale: We have a Rob1b in very good condition available.

 Robbins 1c

Robbins 1c 1926-1928  (above) In 1926 a new pendant was made and the quality of the pendant was greatly improved. The Robbins 1c and 1d are similar but with slightly different backs. In general the Rob1c is the more common of the two.

Identification:  The quick identification is that the Eagles beak is clearly open and the back has the notched '^' at the tail feathers. BSA on the chest. 28-30mm wingspan. Sometimes the scroll may have small extensions protruding out from either side under the words 'BE PREPARED'.

Availability: Somewhat scarce. Actively sought after.

Robbins 1d  1928-1930  (above) Somewhere after 1928 the Rob1d appeared.

Identification: The quick identification is the open mouth of the eagle but the '^' notch is missing. Instead, the line is straight across where the back meets the tail feathers. The scroll may or may not have the small protrusions. The Robbins 1d would be the end of the 10 year run of the Rob1 types. This would be the badge of Eagle Scout Gerald R. Ford in 1929 and General William C. Westmorland.

Great improvements to the design were about to follow.

Availability: Somewhat scarce. Actively sought after.

For sale:  We have a Robbins 1d in the box in excellent condition for sale.

 Robbins 2a

Robbins 2a 1930   (above) The Robbins 2a represented the Eagle Badge at its finest artistic craftsmanship. The engraving was unequaled before or since. Unfortunately, it was the most short lived types when the back was changed to create the Robbins 2b. It's life span was about 4 months. The short production time and the craftsmanship of this Eagle make it one of the most desirable types for collectors.

Identification: BSA on the chest. The beak is closed. Extra fine detailing of all features. Knuckles on the talons are clearly visible. Besides the fine engraving on the back the Rob2a also has a distinctive 'V' shaped back. Most examples of the 2a seem to have a special 'jeweler's ring' holding the pendant to the ribbon. This ring is spring loaded with a small catch on it that allows the removal of the pendant from the ribbon. Some examples have the usual two-ring system.

Availability: Rare, highly prized and actively sought after.

 Robbins 2b

Robbins 2b 1930-1933  (above)  The Rob2b received a newly designed back. Businessman Sam Walton earned this medal type in 8th grade, the youngest Eagle in the state of Missouri.

Identification: The Rob2b is identical to the Rob2a except the back lost its fine engraving with its distinctive 'V' back. There are some examples of the Rob2b with the 'jewelers ring' although most seem to have the traditional two-ring system. There are two types of ribbons associated with the Rob2b. The first is the more lustrous silk type shown. The second type does not have this kind of visual depth.

Availability: Somewhat scarce. Actively sought after.

For Sale: We have an excellent example of a Rob2b in a coffin case available. Please write for details.

  Robbins 3

Robbins 3 1933-1954 (above)  In late 1933 the Boy Scouts decided to redesign the front of the Eagle Badge and remove the 'BSA' from the chest. This would be the longest lasting Eagle type. This was the 'Golden Age of Scouting' spanning the Depression, end of Prohibition, World War II, Korea and the beginning's of Rock n Roll.This Eagle medal would be the type that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Democratic running mates Michael Dukakis & Lloyd Benton, Presidential candidate Ross Perot and astronauts Neil Armstrong & Jim Lovell were awarded. The 'Texas Tower Sniper', Charles Whitman earned this medal at age 12. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer earned this type in 1952.

Identification:  No BSA on the chest. The back of the pendant is 'full feathered' and is identical to the Rob2b. Although there are no subtypes to this award there would be several changes to the ribbon types. There is a 'tufted' type ribbon that is very attractive. The Robbins 3 can be somewhat dated as 'Early, Mid and Late' versions based on the ribbon type. Note that the fine engraving is gone at this time never to return. The 'tufted' ribbon kind is the most attractive with a rose, white and sea blue ribbon.

Availability: Fairly common. Readily found.

For Sale:  I have an absolutely mint Rob3 with a 'tufted' ribbon in the coffin case. This is a beautiful piece meant for a serious collection. Please inquire if interested. Acquired in Scotland!

  Robbins 4

Robbins 4  1955-1969  (above)   In 1955 the Boy Scouts again revised the Eagle Badge. See also the Stange 1 regarding the Rob4. Astronaut Ellison Onizuka, mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Challenger, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of the Army Togo D. West Jr and Steven Spielberg were awarded this type. Adventurer Steve Fosset was awarded this type at age 13, New York mayor Michael Bloomberg earned his Eagle in 1955.

Identification: The Robbins 4, like the Rob3 has no 'BSA' on the chest. This time the back was made flat for engraving. Some Scouts had their names or award date added but by in large the practice never caught on. The Robbins 4 was made in only this type. It was virtually indistinguishable from the Robbins 3 on the front. The Robbins 4 for the most part had ribbons of deep hue and bright silver finishes. You will typically find one of a various amount of hallmarks on the backside of the tail feathers. Some people find the different hallmarks collectible.

During this time the national BSA office  contracted with the Stange Company to manufacture an Eagle medal simultaneously with the Robbins Company. See the Stange page for more information.

Availability: Among the most common types. Readily found.

  Robbins 5

Robbins 5 1969-1978 (above)  The Robbins 5 brought back the more vintage look to the Eagle. This is the medal type film maker Michael Moore was awarded.

Identification: The 'full feathered back' and 'BSA' return. The back is identical to the Robbins 3 and 2b. The back also carries a Robbins company hallmark  with the 'r' and 'STER' found stamped vertically on the back of the tail feathers.

Availability: Among the more common types.