Stange Company 1968-1999, 2007-present
Like the Robbins Company, the Stange Company created several Eagle Scout Badge types with many sub-types. Following are the different examples:
Stange 1
Stange 1 1968-1970 (above) In 1968 the Boy Scouts contracted with a second manufacturer to make the Eagle medals along with the Robbins Company. This type is somewhat rare and is actively sought among collectors.
Identification: The Stange 1 resembled, and is easily mistaken for, the Robbins 4. No BSA, the beak is closed but it has a few subtle distinctions that make it easy to spot. There is a hallmark with a stylized 'S' in script form in a small box on the back of the tail feathers with the word 'STERLING' stamped below.It still retained the flat back but the Eagles chest is flatter and the scroll was modified into a new more angular design. Ribbon colors may be deep red or rose colored.
Availability: Somewhat rare. Activley sought after.
Stange 2
Stange 2 1970-1974 (above)
Both Robbins and Stange were still making the Eagle Badge at this time and both companies changed their front and back designs in 1970.
Identification: The pendant adds BSA and a 'fully feathered' back to the Eagle. Stange also tried to add more detail to the Eagle pendant. They were not entirely satisfactory. In the past pendants had been 'die struck' using a die and then striking it to form the image. The Stange 2 was cast into a mold. Although some details on the feathers are visible the pendant just fell short of appearing very good. The tail feathers vary in length as the excess metal from the mold had to be ground down by hand. All in all, the Stg2 was not Stange at its best. The Stange 2 retains the angular scroll and wire knot.
The script-like S hallmark with 'STER' or 'STERLING' can be found on the back of the scroll in a tiny square box. There are both raised and stamped hallmarks, and occasionally, no hallmark at all.
Availability: Relatively common.
Stange 3
Stange 3 1974-1978 (above) The Stg3 was the most radical design change in the Eagle Badge since its creation. There is no mistaking this type. Columbia space shuttle pilot Willie McCool was awarded this Eagle.
Identification: The Stg3 still retains the angular scroll of the Stg 1 and 2, but the pendant now resembles the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) logo. This type is also called the 'Gooseneck' design because the Eagle has such a narrow neck. It is made of sterling silver. The ribbons are generally much longer than most of the earlier Eagles. You can find a Stange 'S' hallmark on the backside of the scroll. It is stamped 'STERLING' vertically on the tail feathers.
Availability: Generally available.
Stange 3 Prototype
Stange 3 Prototype (above) The Stange 3 prototype is extremely rare. There are only 2 known to be held in collection. One appears in the book, A Comprehensive Guide to the Eagle Scout Award, by Terry Grove. The second one is posted here. The Guide says, "A prototype pendant exists. It is larger than the pendant eventually used." Authorities on the Eagle Scout Award differ on their opinions of this type. (If it is really a type at all.) Could it have been for a possible change in the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award plaque and pendant? Have some of these been awarded and collectors have not 'discovered' this type yet, like the Robbons 0? Is this a Stange 0?
Identification: In any case, this pendant stands out amoung all the Eagle types. The medal itself has a soft silver patina that appears to have a contrasting gray color that has been rubbed into the recesses of the pendant. It has further been treated with a clear coat finish. The BSA letters on the chest are bolder than the standard issue pendant and the pendant ring above the eagles head is larger. The Prototype does not have knuckles on its talons, while the standard pendant does. The protected sterling silver color shines out compared to the oxidized patina of the Stg3.
This particular example was found attached to what appears to be a Rob4 ribbon and scroll. Further, the medal was found in a grey domed box normally associated with the Rob 4 or 5. There is no known history asscociated with this item. The author has seen a photo of a third example of this type attached to a Stange 'Z' type scroll inside a grey domed box. It's whereabouts is unknown.
Availability: Hands down the most difficult type to acquire. Virtually impossible to find. Yet possibly not the most valuable type since it was not a circulated issue.
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Stange 4
Stange 4 1978-1980 (above) By 1978 Robbins had ceased making the Eagle Scout Badge and Stange was now the sole provider. Stange produced an attractive medal with the Stange 4. It was once again die struck instead of molded.
Identification: BSA on the chest, beak closed, white edging on the ribbon, 'S' scroll, Stange 'S' hallmark on the back of the scroll. The tail feathers are stamped with a vertical 'STER'.
Availability: Relatively common.
Stange 5a
Stange 5a 1980-1983 (above) The Stange 5 series introduced yet another new pendant design with plenty of tweaks to an otherwise pleasing design. The Stange 5 would be the last really attractive pendant design. Most of the Stg5a's were made of a copper base with a silver plate and oxidized. Then they received a clear coat to prevent oxidizing. A sterling version was available from the National Office.
Identification: BSA on chest, beak is closed, white edging on the ribbon. The back of the pendant is nearly flat but 'full feathered' and stamped with the Stange hallmark script 'S' on the back of the tail feathers. 'STER' also appears on the sterling varieties. The pendant will either be oxidized to nearly black or a soft silver, buffed and clear coated. The black medal has a shorter ribbon than the silver pendant.
Availability: Relatively common.
Stange 5b
Stange 5b 1983-1986 (above)
Identification: Same as the 5a but with a more contoured appearance to the back. On sterling versions you can find a tiny "STER' stamped near the 'S' hallmark on the back of the tail feathers.
Availability: Relatively common.
Stange 5c
Stange 5c 1986-1989 (above)
Identification: This version has, for some reason, a very bold 'S' on the 'BSA' on the chest. It has been suggested that the die wore down and just developed a bolder image. If true this is the only medal in the nearly 100 year history of the award that this phenomena occurred. And why there are no versions that slowly become more bold has never been suggested. The back, once again, goes flat with 'full feathers'.
Availability: Somewhat common. Relatively easy to acquire.
Stange 5d 1990-1993 (above)
Identification: BSA on the chest, no white edging on the ribbon. The pendant is again altered by bringing the wing tips forward a bit. There is a plated and a sterling version available. Sterling versions are stamped 'STERLING' on the back of the tail feathers. The Stange 'S' hallmark is on the tail feathers in a small box.
Availability: Somewhat common. Readily found.
Stange 5e 1993 (above)
This is the last of the attractive Eagle pendants. It comes in sterling only. This type was short lived and is very difficult to find. Because of the scarcity of this type it is sought among advanced collectors.
Identification: BSA on the chest, no white edging on the ribbon. Stange introduced the 'two-pole and clutch' holder sytem on the back of the scroll. The image above shows both the pole with and without the clutch holder. There is a tiny horizontal 'STER' across the top of the 'S' hallmark on the back of the tail feathers.
Availability: Scarce. Relatively difficult to acquire.
Stange 6a 1993 (above)
Stange's redesigned pendant is introduced in 19993.
Identification: BSA on the chest, beak is closed, large 'S' hallmark on the tailfeathers. The pendant is now made of pewter. This is a big pendant, fully 32mm from wingtip to wingtip. The scroll once again has the traditional long pin and spinlock clasp. The medal may or may not have white edging on the ribbon.
Availability: Somewhat common. Relatively easy to acquire.
Stange 6b 1993-1996 (above)
Identification: Same pendant as the 6a but the scroll has the two-pole system again. The ribbon can be either white edged or plain. There is a sterling version with a huge 'STERLING' cast in raised letters on the back of the tail feathers. A very tiny 'STERLING' can also be found stamped on the pendant ring above the eagle's head. This was the last Stange type to be offered until 2007.
Availability: Somewhat common.
Stange 7 2007 - Present (above)
Identification: The Stange Company once again began producing the Eagle medal in 2007. The 'BSA' is now arranged in an arc. The knot is cast and not a wire. The detail work on the pendant is very good, crisp and clear. However the design still remains somewhat cartoonish and lacks real sophistication in the craft of medal making. There is no hallmark on the back of the tail feathers although a sterling version exists with '926' in raised letters on the back.
Availability: Readily found.