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Authentic vintage Boy Scouts of America uniform shirt in pre-owned condition with expected age, wear, fading and wear to the patches and insignia. Several patches show edge wear, fading and loose/frayed threads consistent with age and use. Please examine all photos carefully, as the patches and their condition are an important part of this garment.
Description:
Outstanding vintage Boy Scouts of America Explorer/Advisor uniform shirt loaded with period Scouting insignia, including a 1953 National Jamboree – Irvine Ranch, California patch and several Oregon-area Explorer and council-related patches.
This is much more than a plain vintage BSA shirt—the assortment and placement of the original sewn-on insignia tell the story of an individual involved with the Explorer program, Oregon Trail Council activities, the 1953 National Jamboree, and an Advisor leadership position.
The shirt retains its original Official Shirt – Sanforized – Boy Scouts of America neck label.
Patches & Insignia Included
1953 National Jamboree – Irvine Ranch, California
Large round embroidered patch on the upper chest featuring a covered wagon and reading:
“NATIONAL JAMBOREE – IRVINE RANCH CALIF. – BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA – 1953”
The 1953 National Scout Jamboree was held at Irvine Ranch, California and was one of the major national Scouting events of the era.
Explorers B.S.A. Strip
Rectangular embroidered strip positioned beneath the Jamboree patch reading:
“EXPLORERS B.S.A.”
This identifies the uniform with the Boy Scouts of America Explorer program.
Tsiltcoos Patch
Curved red and gold embroidered “TSILTCOOS” patch located on the left chest pocket flap.
Melakwa / Oregon Trail Council Patch Assembly
Large multi-piece embroidered insignia on the left chest pocket featuring:
* “MELAKWA” upper rocker
* Central covered-wagon emblem
* “OREGON TRAIL COUNCIL” lettering
* Surrounding red and gold segmented design
This is a particularly attractive piece of Oregon Scouting insignia and connects the uniform with the Oregon Trail Council and Melakwa Scouting tradition.
Eagle Scout – Boy Scouts of America Patch
Oval embroidered Eagle Scout insignia located on the opposite chest pocket.
The patch features the classic red, white and blue Eagle Scout design and reads:
“EAGLE SCOUT – BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA”
Advisor Position Strip
Rectangular embroidered strip below the Eagle Scout pocket reading:
“ADVISOR”
Indicates an adult leadership/advisor role associated with the Explorer program.
Emergency Service Explorer Patch
Large red rectangular shoulder insignia featuring the Explorer emblem and reading:
“EMERGENCY SERVICE EXPLORER”
An especially interesting piece of Explorer program insignia.
Explorer Shoulder Insignia
Additional oval red/white embroidered Explorer insignia is present on the shoulder above the Emergency Service Explorer patch.
Springfield, Ore. Shoulder Strips
Two curved red and white embroidered shoulder strips reading:
These identify the uniform with Springfield, Oregon.
Unit Numerals – 37
Red felt numeral patches with embroidered white/gold numbers:
“3” and “7”
Together identifying Unit/Post 37.
Shirt Details
* Authentic vintage Boy Scouts of America uniform
* Dark forest/olive green
* Long sleeves
* Button front
* Dual button-flap chest pockets
* Original BSA Official Shirt neck label
* Sanforized fabric
* Explorer B.S.A. insignia
* Advisor leadership insignia
* Eagle Scout insignia
* Oregon Trail Council / Melakwa insignia
* Springfield, Oregon insignia
* Emergency Service Explorer insignia
* 1953 National Jamboree Irvine Ranch California patch
* Unit/Post 37 numerals
Historical Interest
The centerpiece is the 1953 National Jamboree Irvine Ranch, California patch. The 1953 National Jamboree was a major national Boy Scout gathering held at Irvine Ranch in Southern California and attended by tens of thousands of Scouts and Explorers.
Combined with the Springfield, Oregon, Oregon Trail Council/Melakwa, Explorer, Eagle Scout, Emergency Service and Advisor insignia, this shirt represents an unusually complete piece of vintage Pacific Northwest Scouting history rather than simply a loose collection of patches.
The patches have been left attached to the shirt exactly as found.
Condition Notes:
Vintage pre-owned condition. Shirt shows normal fading and wear from age and use. The patches vary in condition and some show fading, edge wear, loose/frayed threads and other age-related wear. The Emergency Service Explorer patch in particular shows visible edge/fraying wear. Please enlarge and review all photographs carefully for the exact condition and placement of every patch and the shirt itself.
Approximate Measurements
Measured with the garment laid flat:
* Pit to pit: 21”
* Shoulder/top to bottom of shirt-tail: 27½”
* Length at side/hip: 24”
* Sleeve length: 20”
The shirt has a traditional shirt-tail hem, so the front/back extends approximately 3½” farther than the garment at the side/hip.
All measurements are approximate. Please compare these measurements with a similar garment that fits well rather than relying on a modern size conversion.
Sold as a complete vintage uniform with all pictured insignia attached.
